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BY  THOMAS  Ewme  JR. 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


JONATHAN 

A    TRAGEDY 


BY 

THOMAS   EWING,  JR. 


An  imitation  of  the  very  best  and  noblest  life  is  the 
very  truth  of  tragedy. 

— PLATO  (The  Laws) 

.    .    .    and  if  it  be  according 
To  the  old  text,  still  better. 

— BYRON  (Don  Juan) 


FUNK    &    WAGNALLS    COMPANY 

NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 
I9O2 


COPYRIGHT,  1902,  BY 

FUNK    &   WAGNAIvI,S  COMPANY 

[Printed  in  the  United  States  of  A  nterica] 

Published  in  December,  1902 


SAUL,  the  first  King  of  Israel,  and  David,  the  great 
king,  so  overshadowed  Jonathan,  who  was  but  a  prince, 
that  he  interested  the  Biblical  narrator  mainly  as  a 
factor  in  the  feud  between  the  great  rivals.  That 
the  situation  in  which  he  was  placed  was  tragic,  and 
that  he  displayed  elevation  of  character,  is  clear  ;  but 
there  is  lacking  the  wealth  of  detail  with  which  his 
career  and  personality  would  have  been  developed  had 
he  been  of  greater  political  importance.  For  this 
reason  I  have  felt  that  the  story,  as  it  is  told  in  the 
first  book  of  Samuel,  could  be  elaborated  with  advan 
tage.  The  setting  which  I  have  wrought  for  it  is 
adorned  with  gems  of  thought  and  expression  taken 
from  the  Bible  freely  and  at  random.  These  and  other 
conscious  borrowings  are  acknowledged  in  the  notes. 


DRAMATIS   PERSONS 


SAUL King  of  Israel 

JONATHAN Saul's  Oldest  Son  and  Heir 

DAVID .     .     Anointed  of  Samuel 

SAMUEL The  Prophet 

ABNER Cousin  to  Saul 

ESHBAAL,  MELCHISUA,  and   ABINADAB     .     Sons  of  Saul 
ARMORI  and  MEPHIBOSHETH  .  Sons  of  Rizpah  and  Saul 

ADRIEL Saul's  Son-in-law 

PALTI SauFs  Son-in-la-w 

DOEG Saul's  Chief  Herdsman 

ZlBA A   Servant  of  Saul 

ELHANAN A  Lad 

An  Amalekite,    Cooks,  Messengers,  and  Soldiers 
MlCHAL    .     .    .    A   Daughter  of  Saul  and  Wife  of  David 

and  afterward  of  Palti 

AHINOAM      .     Jonathan's   Wife,  and  their   Two  Children 

MERAB  .     .     .     A  Daughter  of  Saul  an.l  Wife  of  Adriel 

Women  of  the  Populace 


ACT    I 


SCENE  I. — The  Vale  of  Elah.  SAUL  in  sackcloth, 
and  with  ashes  on  his  head.  Enter  a  TROOP 
in  like  garb,  singing  : 

TROOP 
Turn  unto  the  Lord. 

Speak  a  word  of  bringing  back  again 

The  King  of  kings,  and  He  will  come  to  bless  ; 

As  on  that  day  when  fervent  Samuel  set 

Upon  thy  lordly,  overtopping  front  5 

The  rule  and  majesty  of  Israel. 

When  a  lion,  fierce  with  heat  and  thirst, 

Doth  range  the  burning  sands,  and  finds  at  last 

A  palm-tree,  rooted  by  a  spring  of  water, 

He   laps,    and  heaves  his  sides,    and   crouches 

down ;  10 

Even  so  the  fiercest  soul  finds  rest  in  God. 
Turn  unto  the  Lord. 

[Exeunt  the  TROOP  OF  SINGERS. 


io  JONATHAN 


SCENE  II. — The  same.  JONATHAN  alone.  The 
combat  of  DAVID  with  GOLIATH  has  occurred 
in  the  time  between  the  first  and  the  second 
scenes. 

JONATHAN 

What  stripling  can  he  be,  so  lithely  built, 
Whose  courage,  swift  as  eagle  flight,  hath  swept 
Beyond  the  farthest  limit  braved  by  any 
Among  the  mighty  men  of  Israel  ; 
Whose  sling  and  rounded  stone  has  overturned 
The  huge  Philistine,  armed  with  spear  and  shield 
Which  he  could  barely  lift? — This  boy,  whose 

arm 

Could  not  have  brandished  even  the  spear  which  I 
Can  throw  pointblank  !     My  pride  had  wished 

him  slain, 

But  that  his  courage  seemed  so  vastly  large 
As  on  he  ran  to  meet  the  fierce  Goliath, 
And  swore  to  give  to  birds  and  beasts  his  body. 


JONATHAN  ii 


Many  left-handed  Benjamites  can  sling 

A  stone  within  a  hair,  if  done  in  sport  ; 

But  cool  deliverance  within  the  blast  15 

And  range  of  such  a  savage  monster's  breath — 

Here  he  comes — 

Enter  DAVID. 

Fair  youth,  I  know  thy  face, 
What  is  thy  name  ? 

DAVID 

David,  son  of  Jesse, 
That  Ephrathite  of  Bethlehem  in  Judah. 

JONATHAN 
And  where  before  have  I  encountered  thee  ?  20 

DAVID 
When  I  have  sung  within  thy  father's  tent. 

JONATHAN 
I  would  have  known  thee  when  I  saw  thee 

first 

But  that  thy  mighty  deed  to-day  performed 
A  glamour  cast  around  thy  stripling  figure  ; 


12  JONATHAN 


25       As  tho  thy  spirit,  like  a  halo  flaming 
About  thy  body,  stood  encased  within 
Goliath's  armor,  hiding  thee  from  view. 
Who  taught  thee  aim  so  sure  and  throw  so  true, 
No  matter  what  the  stake  ? 

Enter  ABNER  unnoticed. 
DAVID 

Not  long  ago 

30       The  mighty  prophet  Samuel,  seer  of  God, 

Came  to  my  father's  tents,  and  there  reviewed 
The  sons  of  Jesse,  all  of  stalwart  frame 
Beyond  myself,  who  am  the  youngest  child, 
While  I  was  on  the  plains  of  Bethlehem 

35       Watching  our  flocks.     But  unto  none  did  he 
His  approbation  give,  and  straightway  asked 
That  I  be  summoned.     There  upon  my  head 
He  poured  a  horn  of  oil,  and  went  his  way. 
Since  then  no  danger  that  I  have  encountered 

40       Has  caused  my  heart  to  sink  ;  I  turned  my  sling 
Against  Goliath  with  such  confidence 


JONATHAN 13 

As  I  had  cast  a  stone  against  a  sparrow. 

JONATHAN 

Anointed  one  !     I  can  not  hope  to  reach 
Thy  perfect  faith.     But  I  will  doff  thy  cap 
And  set  mine  own  upon  thy  chosen  crest ;  45 

Girdle  my  sword  about  thy  slender  thigh  ; 
Cast  my  cloak  about  thee  ;  cry  to  all 
That  I,  as  prince  in  blood,  a  kinship  claim 
With  thy  majestic  nature.     On  my  heart 
By  thee  to-day  thy  figure  has  been  stamped,  50 

And  thou  shalt  current  be  in  all  my  thoughts. 

[DAVID  prostrates  himself. 
Up,  arise  !  thou  fitter  prince  than  I. 
For  I  will  have  no  service  to  exclude  me 
From  fellowship  with  thee. 

[Exit  ABNER  unnoticed. 
DAVID 

Thou  praisest  much  ; 
And  much  abusest  thy  superb  repute.  55 


14  JONATHAN 


Who,  with  no  one  except  thine  armor-bearer — 
Knowing  that  no  restraint  is  on  the  Ix>rd, 
The  God  of  hosts,  to  save  by  few  or  many — 
Didst  charge  upon  the  garrison  that  lay 

60       Behind  the  rocks  of  Bozez  and  of  Seneh, 

Which  stand  confronting  Gibeah  and  Michmash  ; 
There  thou  didst  slay  a  score  or   more  Philis 
tines 

In  half  a  furrow-length  upon  an  acre. 
How  often  have  I  heard  the  story  told  ! 

65       Terror  seizes  them  all ;  their  battle  lines, 

Bristling  before  like  windrows,  wildly  tremble  ; 

And  now  the  mighty  army  melts  away 

And  scatters  here  and  there,  no  two  together  ! 

JONATHAN 
Ah,  heavy  woful  day  to  me  !     For  Saul, 

7°       Without  my  having  heard  it,  laid  a  curse 
On  him  that  any  food  should  taste  till  even. 
And  I,  in  hunger  fierce,  my  spear-head  dipping 
In  honey,  ate,  that  I  might  further  still 


JONATHAN  15 


Drive    on    the   battle.      Thus,    like  Jephthah's 

daughter, 

Whose  fate  the  Hebrew  maidens  yearly  mourn,          75 
Upon  my  head  I  brought  confusion  down 
Intending  service.     For,  when  we  had  slain 
The  foe  to  Aijalon,  Saul  sought  a  sign, 
And  none  was  given.     Then  a  lot  he  cast 
Between  the  people  and'  himself  and  me  80 

To  find  the  sinner.     When  the  lot  on  us 
Had  fallen,  and  another  that  was  cast 
Marked  out  me,  the  king  had  straightway  slain  me 
Had  not  the  men  of  Israel  cried  out 
And   plucked   me   from    him.     Still    the    curse 

remains,  85 

And  some  day  it  shall  fall,  I  fear,  and  crush  me. 
Now  shalt  thou  make  a  covenant  with  me  : 
That  thou  wilt  cut  not  off  thy  loving  kindness 
From  all  my  house  forever.     May  the  Lord 
Require  it  even  from  thine  enemies.  90 

For  thou  wilt  stand  without  the  range  and  spring 


16  JONATHAN 

Of  such  calamities  as  lie  in  wait 

For  those  whose  feet  the  royal  pathways  tread, 

In  the  glare  and  desert  of  publicity. 

DAVID 

95       Oh,  prince  !     Oh,  Jonathan  !     Thy  loving  words 
Have  moved  the  deepest  waters  of  my  soul ; 
Freely  I  swear  as  thou  requirest  me. 
The  Lord  do  so  and  more  also  to  me 
If  I  do  break  my  vow.     But  what  wilt  thou 
100     Swear  unto  me? 

JONATHAN 

That  thou  shalt  ever  be 

My  brother,  confidant,  my  heart's  companion — 
But  here  is  Saul ;  and,  at  his  elbow,  Abner. 
Enter  SAUI,  and  ABNER. 

ABNER 

Ha  !    Hath  this  slinger  dight  himself  so  quickly 
In  princely  garments  ? 

SAUI, 

What  is  meant  by  this  ? 


JONATHAN 17 

DAVID 

Take  back  again  thy  cap,  thy  sword,  and  cloak.        105 
My  sling  and  sheepskin  jacket  fit  me  better. 

ABNER 
Well  spoken,  shepherd  ! 

JONATHAN 

What  is  that  to  thee  ? 
If  thou  wilt  such  another  venture  take, 
I'll  give  my  sword  and  anything  thou  lackest. 
If  not,  let  shame  be  thy  promotion,  Abner.  1 10 

SAUL, 

Son,  our  cousin  Abner  is  in  the  right. 
Because  the  youth  hath  overturned  Goliath, 
Is  he  to  be  thy  peer  or  thy  supplanter  ? 
When  thou  wouldst  buckle  him  within  thy  cloak 
Thou  dost  forget  thy  line,  and  he  his  place.  115 

JONATHAN 

The  youth  is  not  at  fault.  He  only  took 
What  I  did  press  upon  him.  Such  a  deed 
As  he  performed  to-day  will  make  thy  reign 


i8 JONATHAN 

Renowned  forever.     Not  a  boy  will  grow 
1 20     To  manhood  but  must  hear  the  tale  retold. 

How  grand  the  throne  that  rests  upon  such  pillars ! 
So  thinking  of  him  as  thy  loyal  subject, 
And  seeking  inspiration  from  his  friendship, 
I  hung  my  sword  upon  him,  set  my  cap 
125     Upon  his  curly  head,  and  threw  my  cloak 

About  his  shoulders.     Nothing  more  than  this 
Was  meant  by  him  or  me. 
SAUL 

Well,  let  it  pass. 
My  cousin  Abner,  come. 

[Exeunt. 


JONATHAN  19 


SCENE    III. — Gibeah.      Enter  MICHAL  and 
MERAB,  daughters  of  Saul. 

MICHAL 
Tell  me,  my  sister,  dost  them  favor  David? 

MERAB 
And  what  is  that  to  thee  ? 

MICHAL 

A  wedding,  Merab. 
MERAB 

Nay,  not  for  me  ;  I  do  not  like  his  way. 
This  boy,  that  scarce  hath  left  his  father's  flocks, 
Doth  pleasure  Saul  with  every  winning  art  5 

Like  an  old  courtier,  yet  maintains  a  marked 
And  proud  reserve  toward  every  other  man, 
As  tho  he  might,  one  day,  be  king  himself  ! 
And  when  'twas  told  him  Saul  would  have  us 

wed, 

"  Who  am  I,"  quoth  the  artful  hypocrite,  10 

"  Poor   shepherd,    to   be   made   the   sovereign's 
son?" 


20  JONATHAN 


He  seeks  enrichment  from  the  hand  of  Saul, 

So  Abner  says.     I  love  him  not,  this  David. 
MICHAL 

L,ovest  thou  not  the  gentle  Adriel  ? 
J5        Ah,  sister,  the  Meholathite  hath  found 

Grace  in  thy  sight,  or  else  thy  cheeks  do  lie. 
MERAB 

And  thine,  if  David  be  not  dear  to  thee. 
MICHAL 

Didst   thou   not   watch   him   fill  his  shepherd's 
scrip 

With  pebbles  from  the  brook,  and  run  with  staff 
20       And  whirling  sling  in  hand,  to  front  Goliath  ? 

Didst  thou  not  hear  him  cry  that  all  Philistia 

Should  learn  there  is  a  God  in  Israel  ? 

I  wept  with  joy  and  dread  by  turns  to  see  it, 

And  hid  my  face,  until  the  troopers  shouted  ; 
25       And  then  I  looked  and  saw  him  set  his  foot 

Upon  Goliath's  neck,  and  draw  that  sword 

And  hew  the  monster's  head  off  from  the  trunk 


JONATHAN  21 


As  some  frail  forester  might  fell  an  oak. 
Would  that  he  loved  me  !    But  he  knows  me  not. 

MERAB 

He  needs  must  love  thee  if  he  knew  thee,  Michal.        30 
And  he  shall  know  thee.     I  will  go  to  Saul, 
Our  father,  tell  him  I  love  Adriel, 
And  if  this  youth  must  wed  with  one  of  us 
It  must  be  thee.     Beloved  Jonathan 
Will  help  along  our  plans  ;  and  well  we  know  35 

The  king  is  ruled  by  him.     L,et  us  away — 
Our  hearts  shall  both  beat  happily  to-day. 

\Exeunt. 


22  JONATHAN 


SCENE  IV. — The  same.    MICHAL.    Enter  DAVID. 

MlCHAL 

What  brought  thee  here  to  me  ? 
DAVID 

A  wish  to  see  thee. 
Jonathan  gave  me  leave. 

MICHAL 

And  having  seen  me  ? 
DAVID 
Here  would  I  tarry  if  thou  dost  permit. 

MICHAL 
If  not  ? 

DAVID 
I  go. 

MICHAL 
To  leave  me  here  alone  ? 

DAVID 

5         Alone  thou  canst  not  be.     For  since  I  saw  thee, 
In  princely  virgin  robe  of  many  colors, 


JONATHAN  23 


Breasting  the  morning  when  the  sun  is  gentle, 
Upon  the  hill,  my  thoughts  have  been  with  thee. 

MICHAI, 

Tell  me  now,  David,  what  thou  thinkest  of  me, 
Unless  it  would  not  please  me.  10 

DAVID    [Sings] 

Thou  dearer  art  to  me 
Than  are  the  ruddy  beams  to  morn, 
That  every  dewy  drop  adorn 

As  jewels  be. 

Thou  dearer  art  than  showers  15 

Of  gentle  dropping  are  to  spring, 
That  swelling  buds  and  verdure  bring 

And  fields  of  flowers. 

The  early  beams  above 

Bring  light  to  morn  ;  the  vernal  rain  20 

Brings  beauty,  life,  and  richest  gain — 

Thou  bringest  love. 


24  JONATHAN 

MlCHAI, 

'Tis  beautiful  if  it  was  meant  for  me. 
But  if  'twas  meant  to  please  another  maiden — 
25       It  was  not  pretty  to  repeat  it  me. 

DAVID 

'Twas  meant  for  thee  alone.    I  know  none  other, 
And  not,  until  I  saw  thee,  thought  of  any. 
I  live  a  life  of  deepest  solitude, 
Guarding  the  sheep  I  tend  ;  save  now  and  then 
3°       Some  mystic  traveler,  upon  a  camel 

Swaying  from  side  to  side  with  rolling  pace, 
Comes  to  my  tent  for  shelter  from  the  night. 

MICHAL 

How  dost  thou  pass  the  time  ? 
DAVID 

Watching  the  sheep 

Or  warding  dangers  off.     A  bear  one  day, 
35       Falling  upon  us,  seized  a  petted  lamb. 

I  followed  him,  and  smote  him  till  the  lamb 


JONATHAN  25 


Dropped   from    his    jaws ;    and   when   he    rose 

against  me 
I  bearded  him,  and  slew  him  there  and  flayed 

him. 

MICHAL 
Is  it  not  dreadful  ? 

DAVID 

No,  the  L,ord  is  with  me 
Most   in  the   wilds,   and   least  where  men  are 

gathered.  40 

I  tend  the  sheep,  and  feel  that  I  myself 
Am  one  among  a  flock  Jehovah  keepeth. 
My  days  are  filled  with  strains  from  Nature's  lips: 
Breezes  which,  with  their  airy  fingers,  touch 
The  pendent  forest  leaves,  or,  swiftly  sweeping,       45 
Twang  the  taut  branches  ;  songs  of  joyous  birds 
That  thrill  aloft  in  furious  ecstasy  ; 
While,  from  the  far-off  sea,  the  throbbing  waves 
Measure  the  moments  as  they  fleet  along. 
When  flaming  day  is  gone  and  heaven's  floor  50 


26 JONATHAN 

With  God's  unnumbered  embers  bright  is  strewn r 
I  sleep  upon  a  patch  of  tender  grass, 
Upon  the  borders  of  a  rivulet, 
Where  sweet  composure  the  vexed    earth   sur 
rounds, 
55       And  all  the  air  is  filled  with  gentle  noise 

Of  sheep  at  rest,  and  insects  humming  lightly, 
And  rhythmic  lapping  of  the  running  water, 
Which  seems  to  flow  along  my  veins  and  bathe 
My  body  with  a  clean  and  cool  refreshment. 
60       But,  Michal,  now  the  plains  are  desolate. 

MICHAL 

And  all  our  tents  seem  uninhabited 
When  thou  art  gone.     But  we  must  talk  no  more. 
Enter  SAUL  and  ABNER.      They  whisper  to 
themselves. 

SAUL 
What  does  he  tell  her  ? 

ABNER 

Lies  about  the  bear. 


JONATHAN  27 


SAUL 
He  slew  Goliath  on  the  plain  of  Elah. 

ABNER 

Goliath  died  of  sheer  astonishment.  65 

It  nearly  killed  me,  too.     Set  him  a  task — 
Say   one  who  seeks  thy  daughter's  hand  must 

bring 

A  worthy  dowry,  and  that  he  is  poor. 
Send  him  to  snatch  him  wealth  at  Shaarraim  ; 
I  warrant  he  will  not  return  alive.  70 

And  we  shall   know   'twas   not   the  Lord,  but 

chance, 
That  helped  him  win  his  victory  at  Elah. 

SAUL 
I  fear  the  Lord  is  with  him. 

[Addressing  DAVID]   David,  bring 
The  proving  of  an  hundred  Philistines 
Slain  by  thyself,  and  I  will  give  thee  Michal.  75 

Not  wealth,  but  honor  be  thy  dowry,  boy — 
Tarry  not,  begone. 


28  JONATHAN 


DAVID 

The  hundred  men 

Who  stand  between  myself  and  this  thy  daughter 
Shall  pay  the  forfeit.     Fare  thee  well,  my  lord, 
80       And  thee,  sweet  Michal.     I  shall  soon  return. 

ABNER 

I^et  him  who  girds  his  battle-harness  on 
Not  boast  himself  as  he  who  puts  it  off. 

{Exit  DAVID  with  MICHAL. 
SAUL 

Since  Merab  hath  been  given  to  another 
Michal  must  cause  his  downfall.     For  he  seems 
85       A  constant  menace  and  reproach  to  me. 

ABNER 

He'll  trouble  thee  no  more  ;  for  these  Philistines 
Will  make  their  bread  of  him. 


JONATHAN  29 

SCENE  V. — The  same.     At  the  gate  of  the  city. 
MICHAL  and  JONATHAN. 

MICHAL 

Will  David  surely  come  again  in  safety  ? 
Tell  me,  Jonathan,  there  is  naught  to  fear. 

JONATHAN 

Well,  this  I  will  say  :  I  had  rather  have 
His  chance  of  triumph  than  the  chance  of  any 
Among  the  hundred  living.     There  is  comfort.  5 

But  dost  thou  truly  love  him,  little  sister, 
Or  doth  thy  heart  but  trip  to  some  new  tune  ? 
I^ife  without  love  is  like  a  journey  taken 
Along  a  way  unknown  ;  with  love  'tis  swift, 
Like  the  returning.     Thou  art  proud  of  spirit,  10 

And  David  masterful.     He  may  not  please  thee. 
Not  wilfulness  but  love  should  light  the  way. 

MICHAI, 

Brother  mine,  thy  love,  thy  wife,  and  children 
Have  filled  my  life  till  now.    But  now — I  fear — 


30  JONATHAN 


15        I  love  him  not — and  yet  when  he  is  gone 

My  heart  is  sad.     When  thinkest  he  returns  ? 

JONATHAN 
What  sound  is  that? 

MICHAL 

The  women  crying  ' '  David  ! 
David  !  !  David  !  !  !  "     Is  it  not  his  name  ? 
He  is  returning.     He  hath  slain  the  men. 
20       Can  it  be  that  he  hath  failed  ?     No,  no  ! 

The  cry  is  ' '  David  !    Victor  !  !    Conqueror  !  !  !  " 

JONATHAN 

It  is  he.     Let  us  await  his  coming,  here. 
How   grand   he   seems,  aglow   with  youth  and 

triumph  ! 

And,  Michal,  he  hath  triumphed  over  foes 
25       Worse  than  Philistines.     Here  the  women  come. 
Enter  a  TROOP  OF  WOMEN  in  gala  attire, 
dancing  and  singing. 

WOMEN 
Saul  hath  slain  his  thousands 


JONATHAN  31 


And  David  his  tens  of  thousands. 

They  who  hate  the  Lord 

Flee  before  his  sword — 

Flee  till,  robbed  of  breath,  30 

All  are  hewn  to  death. 

No  Philistines  live  to  tell 

How  he  leveled  wall  and  well. 

Enter  DAVID  and  troopers. 

DAVID 

Such  over-praise  is  worse  than  none  at  all. 
I  pray  you  cease. 

MICHAL 
Hast  slain  an  hundred  men  ?         35 

DAVID 
Yes  ;  and  I  bring  the  proofs  in  twice-full  tale. 

JONATHAN 

Stay  thou  with  Michal  here,  and  I  will  seek 
Our  father.     Let  the  crowd  at  once  disperse. 

[Exeunt  WOMEN  and  JONATHAN. 


32  JONATHAN 


DAVID 

I  come  to  claim  thee,  Michal.     Shall  I  fling 
40       Over  thy  head  the  banner  of  my  love  ? 


At  times  I  think  me  ready,  and  at  times 
I  tremble  lest,  in  changing  my  estate, 
I  shall  but  make  myself  and  thee  unhappy. 
Do  not  be  angry,  David. 

DAVID 

No,  not  I. 
45       I    guessed    as    much.     A   ship  that  beats  the 

tempest 
Sweeps  onward,  back  and  forth,  with  swelling 

canvas  ; 

But  when  she  swings  her  prow  to  change  the  tack, 
The  sail,  uncertain,  flaps  against  the  mast. 
And  so  thy  heart,  as  strong  and  true,  will  throb 
50       As  wife  or  maiden,  tho  it  flutter  now 

Because  thy  hastening  feet  must  leave  the  path 
Thy  happy  childhood  knew. 


JONATHAN  33 

MlCHAI, 

How  couldst  them  guess 
That  I  would  tell  thee  of  my  doubtings,  David  ? 

DAVID 
Oh,   there  are  ways ;  and  sweethearts  keep  us 

guessing 
At  many  things — most  what  they  think  of  us.  55 

MICHAI, 

I  know  a  simple,  truthful  little  love  song, 
Learned  anew  since  last  I  saw  thee  here  ; 
Wilt  thou  listen  whilst  I  sing  it  for  thee  ? 

DAVID 
With  all  my  ears,  and  all  my  heart,  too,  Michal. 

MICHAL 

Now,  do  not  be  provoked  ;  for,  tho  'tis  truthful,       60 
It  ends  with  loving  words,  and  prettily. 

[Song] 
I  think  of  thee  when  morning  breaks, 

When  early  sunbeams  creep 
Along  the  earth,  and  nature  wakes — 

If  I  am  not  asleep.  65 


34  JONATHAN 


I  think  of  thee  throughout  the  hours 
When  life's  excitements  rage, 

When    thronging    bees    and    birds    and 

flowers — 
Do  not  my  thoughts  engage. 

70  But  when,  at  quiet  eventide, 

The  night-born  breezes  free 
In  whispered  plaints  their  loves  confide, 
I  think  of  only  thee. 

DAVID 

There's  for  each  saucy  stanza  {patting  her  on 
each  cheek},  there,  for  the  sweet  one 
{kissing  her). 

75        But  come,  my  Michal,  we  must  be  preparing 
Against  our  wedding,  lest  thy  sprightly  fancy 
Be  otherwise  engaged. 

[Exeunt  DAVID  and  MICHAL  together. 


JONATHAN  35 


SCENE  VI. — The  same.     SAUL.    ABNER  leaving 
him  and  JONATHAN  approaching. 

JONATHAN 

David  returns  with  twice  one  hundred  slain — 
Philistine  men — and  claims  thy  promise  now, 
To  give  him  Michal. 

SAUL 

Where  hath  David  buried 

All  these  our  foemen  slaughtered  by  him  ?     Saul 
Hath   slain   his  thousands,    David  his  tens  of 

thousands. 
Runs  it  not  so  ? 

JONATHAN 
If  Abner  come  as  herald. 

SAUL 

It  is  what  happened.     What  can  this  thy  David 
Have  further  but  the  kingdom  ?    Would  he  were 
slain  ! 


36  JONATHAN 


JONATHAN 

Sin  not  against  him,  father  ;  he  hath  sinned 
10       Nothing  toward  thee,  but   all  his  works   have 

been 

To  thee- ward  very  good.     He  staked  his  life 
And  slew  Goliath.     Thou  didst  rejoice  in  it. 
Why  sin  against  his  blood  to  take  his  life  ? 
And,  tho  the  sin  toward  him  may  be  forgiven, 
1 5       Who  shall  intreat  for  sins  against  the  Lord  ? 

SAUL 

Nay,  I  exclaimed  in  haste  and  rage  at  talk 
Of  armies  slaughtered  with  his  virgin  sword. 

JONATHAN 

The  women's  singing  David  checked  at  once, 
Saying    that    blame    were    better    than     such 

praise. 
20       There  came  to  camp  a  messenger  to-day 

With  news  of  vast  Philistine  armies  gathered 

Along  our  borders,  threatening  invasion. 

If  thou  or  I  should  fall,  on  whom  could  either, 


JONATHAN  37 


Surviving,  lean  ?     Our  wisest  counsellors 
Are  brutish  ;  keen  for  evil,  but  for  good  25 

packing  all  knowledge.     Double-tongued  Abner 
Winnows  with  every  wind.     He  would  not  help. 
Cant,  catch-calls,  and  corruption  are  his  stock, 
Wherewith  he  cheats  the  people  to  his  profit. 
The  L,ord  approveth  David.     All  the  army  30 

Follow  him  gladly  at  the  King's  command. 
And  he  doth  laud  thee  to  them,  calling  thee 
The  grace  of  Israel  who  hath  decked  her  daughters 
In  ornaments  of  gold  and  cloth  of  scarlet  ; 
Swift  as  the  eagle,  mighty  as  the  lion,  35 

Beating  the  foe  as  dust  before  the  tempest ; 
Making  thy  people  rest  until  the  morning. 
No  new-born  grace  is  his,  but  courtesy 
Deep-rooted  in  the  past.    And  Michal  loves  him ; 
But  now  we  meet  him,  come  in  modest  triumph.       40 
I  see  them  there  by  yonder  ancient  cedar, 
And  crave  that  I  may  call  and  thou  wilt  bless 
them. 


38  JONATHAN 


SAUI< 

Nothing  can  I  deny  thee,  Jonathan. 
For,  since  thy  childhood,  thou  to  me  hast  been 
45       A  ray  of  sunshine  gladdening  mine  eyes. 
Go,  my  son,  and  call  the  lovers  hither. 
If  he  will  swear  that  he  will  never  fail 
In  loyalty  to  thee  when  I  am  gone, 
As  God  doth  live,  his  life  shall  not  be  taken. 
50       The  lyord  hath   poured  His  favor  thick  upon 

him, 
And  he  can  aid  us. 

JONATHAN 
I  will  fetch  them  hither. 

[Exit  JONATHAN. 
SAUL  (Alone) 

"  Swifter  than  eagle,  mightier  than  lion, 
Driving  the  foe  as  chaff  before  the  whirlwind — ' ' 
Reenter  JONATHAN  with  DAVID  and  MICHAI,. 
Come,  children.    \To  DAVID]     I  have  learned  of 
thy  success ; 


JONATHAN  39 


I  welcome  thee  as  son.     But  swear  to  me  55 

That  when  my  Jonathan  shall  be  the  king 
Thou  wilt  serve  him,  honor  and  sustain   him 

always, 

As  God  shall  prosper  thee. 
DAVID 

As  thou  requirest 
So  do  I  swear,  as  God  shall  prosper  me. 

SAUL  [to  DAVID] 

After  the  law  of  Moses,  take  her,  David,  60 

According  to  the  custom. 

\To  JONATHAN]   Frame  a  blessing, 
And  I  will  say  amen. 

JONATHAN 

Jehovah  grant 

Enough,  and  wisdom.     May  He  bless  your  lives 
In  youth  with  children,  in  age  with  children's 

children. 

May  she  be  to  thee  as  Ruth  to  Boaz,  65 

Whom,  in  her  toil,  Naomi's  daughter  gleaned. 


40  JONATHAN 


May  both,  in  Bethlehem,  become  as  famed 
As  these  from  whom  thou  springest ;  may  you  do 
As  worthily  in  Ephrathah. 
SAUL 

Amen. 
70       So  may  the  blessing  rest  upon  you. 


ACT   II 


SCENE  I. — The  same.     SAUL  and  ABNER. 

ABNER 

Rumor  spreads  that  Samuel  once  anointed  David 
at  Bethlehem.      I  know  not  what  it   may 
mean.    But  he  grows  so  great  with  victories, 
with  women's  talk,  with  Jonathan's  alliance, 
and,  most  of  all,  because  of   his  marrying         5 
with  Michal,  that  all  the  people  look  to  see 
him  king  when  you  are  dead,  or,  possibly, 
deposed.     Who  knows  what  he  plots  ?    And 
Jonathan  would  fall  in  with  anything  which 
looked  to  David's  welfare.     I  do  not  speak       10 
now  of  certainties,    but  tell  what   I   hear 
reported,  and  feel  bound  to  bring  to  you. 
SAUL 

Yes,  but  his  oath.      He  swore  that  he  would 
serve  and  honor  Jonathan  when  I  am  gone. 

43 


44  JONATHAN 

ABNER 

15       Aye,  but  already  was  anointed.      Possibly  the 
thing  augurs  nothing. 
SAUL 

Augurs  nothing  ?  Whom  beside  has  the  prophet 
Samuel  ever  anointed  with  his  oil,  barring 
myself  ?  Tell  me  how  you  heard  of  it  ? 

ABNER 
20       I  overheard  David  telling  Jonathan. 

SAUL 

And  therefore  told  me  that  all  the  people  report 
it? 

ABNER 

Yes.     I  count  it  mere  boasting.     Can  you  think 
such  a  tale  is  truthful  ? 
SAUL 
25       Who  can  say  ?     The  Lord  is  with  David. 

ABNER 

And  the  prince ;  and,  if  I  may  add  it,  the 
king. 


JONATHAN  45 

SAUL 
What  have  I  done  ? 

ABNER 

Married  David  with  Michal. 
SAUL 
She  loves  him  dearly.  30 

ABNER 

What  is  love  in  royal  marriage  ?  Policy  should 
rule  all  alliances  within  your  house.  Our 
country  is  new  in  kingcraft.  Not  a  king  of 
Philistia  seeks  a  wife,  or  gives  son  or 
daughter,  nephew,  niece,  or  farther  relative,  35 
but  looks  to  things  of  moment  to  swell  his 
state  withal.  So  should  you.  There  is 
Palti :  rich,  a  loyal  subjecl,  a  worthy  son- 
in-law  to  a  king.  I  urged  him.  He  was 
passed  by,  and  David  was  picked  instead.  40 
What  will  David  add  to  your  throne  ? 

SAUL 
Far  more  than  Palti  could  add.     That  puny  son 


46  JONATHAN 


of  L,aish  !    If  one  should  say,  ' '  Leave  follow 
ing  your  wife,   for  I  will  take  her,"  he'd 
45  turn  tail.     What  stuff's  in  Palti  to  found  a 

royal  line  ? 

ABNER 

Oh,  if  the  succession  be  not  through  Jonathan, 
David  were  best — and  readiest  to  seize  it. 

SAUL 
What  can  I  do  ? 

ABNER 
50       Declare  David's  marriage  void. 

SAUL 
Will  not  God  be  moved  to  anger  ? 

ABNER 

Can  man  profit  God  ?     We  fool  ourselves  with 
fictions.     Whosoever  is  wise  will  profit  him 
self  and  afterward  square  accounts.     Take 
55  Michal  back.     She  may  like  his  vaporings 

about  lions  and  bears  slain  and  flayed  (tho 
no  one  ever  has  seen  a  skin  or  a  carcass). 


JONATHAN 47 

But  all  this  is  childish  fancy.     David  thinks 
of  nothing  save  religious  dances  and  feasts. 
He  composes  psalms  about  himself  or  about       60 
your  shortcomings  ;  sings  them  everywhere. 
She  will  tire  of  his  hypocrisy.     And,  should 
David  prove  a  Jacob,  that  supplanter  who 
cheated  Bsau,   and  make  the  anointing  an 
occasion   to  juggle    Jonathan    out    of    the       55 
crown,  he  will  trouble  her  with  other  mar 
riages,  or,  mayhap,  with  looser  bonds. 
SAUL 

But  what  will  Jonathan  think  ?  And  will  the  army 
endure  it  ? 

ABNER 

Leave  the  troops  to  me.    Jonathan  should  accede,        70 
since  all  is  done  for  him,  and  doubtless  will. 
The  prophet,  and  he  alone,  must  know  the 
meaning  which  lies  beneath  the  anointing 
Ask  of  him. 


48  JONATHAN 


SAUI, 

75  Samuel  loves  me  not,  and  never  has  he  sought 
me  since  that  fierce  affair  of  Agag.  I  shall 
not  seek  him.  Do  you  go  instead. 

ABNER 

And  be  cut  in  pieces  like  Agag,  and  perhaps 

my  members  be  sent  throughout  all  the  land 

80  by  Samuel  to  call  the  tribes  to  arms  and 

seize  the  throne  for  David  ?   No,  the  prophet 

loves  me  not ;  nor  would  answer  me.     But 

this  anointing — it  must  have  been  about  the 

time  when  Agag  was  slain  by  Samuel.    Said 

85  he  to  you  aught  of  the  kingdom  ? 

SAUL 

Yes ;   he  said  the  I/Drd  had  rent  the  kingdom 

from  me ;  that  He  saw  one  after  His  heart 

whom  He  would  have  as  ruler — a  better  than 

I.     But  that  is  long  passed,  and  I  am  still 

90  king. 


JONATHAN  49 


ABNER 

And,  following  you,   David  or  Jonathan  ;  what 
matters  it  which  ?     Both  are  sons. 

SAUL 

Sons  with  a  difference  !  I  will  go  seek  Samuel 
and  know  this  portentous  matter. 

ABNER 

Rumor    reports    that    David    hides    now    with       95 
Samuel.     You  know  the  thing  to  do  should 
you  find  him  there. 

SAUL 
Leave  it  to  me  to  do  as  wisdom  shall  dictate. 

ABNER 
As  to  Michal  ? 

SAUL 
Talk  of  that  again.     I^eave  me  now.  100 

[Exit  ABNER. 

With  their  mouths  they  show  love,  but  still  their 
yearning  goes  after  gain.  Abner  is  cunning, 
always  seeking  some  private  end  under  guise 


50  JONATHAN 


of  public  service.     And  yet  he  reasons  well, 
105  and  seems  loyal  toward  me  and  my  house  ; 

and  I  must  let  him  gain  his  advantage,  for 
the  aid  that  he  gives  me.  I  may  not  muzzle 
the  ox  that  treads  out  the  corn. 

{Exit. 


JONATHAN  51 


SCENE  II. — The  same.      SAUL  and  JONATHAN 

meeting. 
JONATHAN 

Whither,  my  father,  goest  thou  ? 
SAUL 

To  Samuel. 
JONATHAN 
What   turns   thy   steps   toward  him  at  Ramah, 

father  ? 

He  hath  not  come  to  thee  nor  thou  to  him, 
Since  Agag  paid  the  forfeit  terribly 
Beneath  his  sword  at  Gilgal.     What  he  meant  c 

I  never  knew,  nor  why  his  long  retreat. 

SAUL 

'Tis  this  I  seek  to  learn.     If  he  should  say 
That  God  hath  rent  the  kingdom,  choosing  one 
Apart  from  thee,  against  my  cherished  wish, 
As  my  successor,  how  wouldstthou  receive  it?  10 


52  JONATHAN 


JONATHAN 
With  heavy  heart. 

SAUL 

But  if  he  named  a  claimant, 
Wouldst  them  submit  ? 

JONATHAN 

Shall  mortal  man  oppose 
The  agent  called  to  do  the  work  of  God  ? 
Or  he  who  holds  the  crown  by  God's  decree 
1 5       Rebel  against  His  own  ordained  successor  ? 
Our  kings  will  come  and  go  in  Israel; 
For  God  is  over  all,  and,  under  Him, 
The  regal  mantle  falls  upon  the  fittest. 

SAUL 

Who  is  so  fit  as  thou  ?     A  prince  in  blood, 
20       Familiar  with  affairs  of  state,  and  trained 
From  boyhood  up  in  kingly  polity  ; 
Inured  to  warfare  ;  raised  above  temptation 
To  favor  factions  ;  seeking  only  justice 
For  all  the  people.     If,  with  each  succession, 


JONATHAN  53 


The  king  must  be  put  forth  by  some  new  house,        25 
Rivalry,  fierce  and  wild,  will  rend  the  kingdom, 
And  order  yield  to  chaos. 

JONATHAN 

Doth  the  crown 

Endure  for  generations  ?     If  the  people 
But  seek  the  common  weal,  yielding  advantage 
When  state  concern  requires  the  sacrifice,  30 

The  choice  of  king  will  follow  God's  direction. 
Whoever  rules,  a  station  near  the  throne 
Is  sure  to  fall  to  me  by  common  suffrage. 

SAUL 
Better  unplaced  than  second. 

JONATHAN 

Yes,  in  pride, 

But  not  in  service.     Israel  is  still  35 

Jehovah's  kingdom.     Every  man  who  does 
The  work  appointed  serves  the  Lord.     Not  place, 
But  power  ;  zeal,  not  show  of  service,  tells. 
For  God  doth  measure  men  by  what  they  are. 


54  JONATHAN 


SAUI, 

40       Why,  Jonathan,  dost  thou,  at  every  turning, 
Thwart  my  purpose,  and  so  interfere 
Against  thine  own  advantage  ?     I  believe 
That  David  would  supplant  thee.     Hath  he  not 
Told  thee  of  his  anointing  ? 

JONATHAN 

Not  as  king. 


45       Art  thou  blind  ?     The  ceremony  means 

A   choice    as    king    or    nothing.      Would    the 

prophet 
Have  sought  him  out,  besmeared  his  locks  with 

oil, 

And  filled  his  thoughts  with  fancied  preference, 
Without  a  purpose  ?     Hold  thyself  aloof, 
50       He  plainly  seeks  thy  hurt. 

JONATHAN 

The  prophet  found  thee 
Little  in  thine  own  sight,  and  made  thee  king 


JONATHAN  55 


Of    all    the   tribes.       From   those  who    rudely 

cried, 

' '  This  man  shall  not  rule  over  us  !  "  arousing 
Rebellious  clamor,  hast  thou  not  enforced 
Submission  ? 

SAUI, 
Pray,  will  you  tell  me,  what's  the  purport  ?       55 

JONATHAN 

If  chosen  thus,  and  with  the  oil  anointed, 
To  be  the  keeper  of  God's  covenant, 
The  shepherd  of  His  people,  may  not  David 
Require  of  one  and  all  obedience  ? 

SAUL, 

Why  should  the  old  recluse  immured  at  Ramah          60 
Have  put  his  flesh-hook  in  ?     The  kingship  falls 
By  easy  preference  upon  thy  shoulders, 
And  they  are  broad  enough  to  carry  it. 
Until  I  see  the  prophet,  hold  thyself 
Apart  from  David.     Give  him  no  assurance.  65 

I'll  learn  the  truth. 


56  JONATHAN 

JONATHAN 
And  learning,  yield  submission  ? 

SAUL 

Enough  of  this.    Do  thou  the  rather  frame 
Thy  mind  to  heed  my  wishes.     All  my  thoughts 
Are  fixed  on  thy  advancement.     Why  should  I 
70       Be  thwarted  ?     Answer  not.     I  seek  the  prophet. 

[Exit  SAUL. 
JONATHAN  [alone] 

O,  may  Jehovah,  Lord  of  hosts,  prepare 
Thy  heart  to  do  His  will.     Farewell,  my  father. 
Misgivings  torture  me.     Our  intercourse 
Hath  been  as  lovers.     Is  the  hour  striking, 
75       When  thou  and  I  must  follow  parting  ways, 
Or  must  I  quit,  for  thee,  the  better  course  ? 
Farewell,  farewell,  farewell !   Jehovah  guide  thee 
Along  the  path  that  leads  to  perfect  peace. 

[Exit  JONATHAN. 


JONATHAN  57 

SCENE  III.  — Ramah  {Naiotfi) .    SAMUEL  alone. 
Enter  SAUL. 

SAMUEL 

What  purpose  brings  thee  here  ? 
SAUL 

I  come  to  learn 

The  will  of  God,  from  thee  His  greatest  prophet. 
Our  scouts  report  the  enemy  as  massing 
Beyond  the  Jordan.     Should  thy  servant  suffer 
The  fate  that  lies  in  wait  for  every  man, 
Who  then  shall  fill  his  seat ;  and  what  shall  he 
Arrange  against  the  chances  ? 
SAMUEL 

Who  art  thou  ? 
SAUL 
The  Lord's  anointed. 

SAMUEL 

Like  the  sow  that  is  washed, 
And  wallows  again  in  mire. 


58  JONATHAN 


SAUL 

Samuel, 
ic       I  am  the  king.     Thy  rule  hath  been  rejected. 

SAMUEL 

It  was  not  me  they  scorned  ;  it  was  Jehovah. 
What  God  directed,  that  I  did.     But  thou, 
A  rabble  server,  bringest  the  curse  which  falls 
When  slaves  are  throned  as  monarchs.     Comest 

thou  here 

j  c       To  learn  the  will  of  God  with  aim  to  do  it, 
Or,  learning,  wouldst  thou  impotently  seek 
To  thwart  it  ?     Once  before,  yea,  more  than  once, 
Thou,  knowing  God's  command,  didst  yet  prefer 
Thine  own  devices.     Hast  thou  changed   thine 

heart, 

2O       Or  is  it  set  on  some  accomplishment 
Where  thou  wouldst  have  my  favor  ? 
SAUL 

What  devices 
Dost  thou  recall  ? 


JONATHAN  59 


SAMUEL 

For  one,  thy  sparing  Agag, 
After  Jehovah  made  His  fixed  decree 
That  he  and  all  his  followers,  his  flocks, 
Women  and  suckling  babes,  should  die. 
SAUL 

My  heart       25 
Was  sorely  moved  for  him. 
SAMUEL 

Thy  melting  pity 

Savored  of  thrift.     For  all  the  weakly  ones, 
The   women,    babes,  and  scrawny  beasts  were 

slain  ; 

The  choicest  camels,  sheep,  and  kine  were  spared, 
And  cruel  mincing  Agag  brought  alive  30 

To  make  a  triumph. 

SAUL 

'Twas  a  stern  decree. 
SAMUEL 
Jehovah  made  it.     Look  how  Joshua 


60  JONATHAN 


Fulfilled  a  like  command,  and  made  a  heap 
Of  Ai,  where  he  left  them  none  to  breathe. 

35       Often  Jehovah's  anger  was  enkindled 
Against  the  people,  seeing  every  man 
Do  what  was  pleasing  in  his  eyes  ;    such  crimes 
As  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  wrought  and  burned  for. 
Wherefore  He  sold  them  many  times  in  bondage. 

40       The  hands  of  spoilers  spoiled  them.     Sisera 
I^aid  the  whole  land  so  waste  that  travelers 
Walked  in  the  byways.     War  was  in  the  gates 
Of  all  the  cities.     Midian  encamped 
Against  them,  reaping  every  year  the  harvest, 

45       Until  nor  ox  nor  ass  nor  sheep  was  left, 
Nor  sustenance  throughout  all  Israel. 

At  times  there  rose  as  judges  godly  men, 
Jerubbaal,  Khud,  Barak,  Othniel, 
Bedan,  and  Jephthah  ;  I  was  one  of  these. 
5         With  them  Jehovah  wrought  deliverance. 


JONATHAN  61 


But  still  his  chosen  people  fell  again, 

And  worshiped  idols,  Ashtaroth  and  Baal, 

A  pretty  god  for  every  town  and  hamlet ; 

Tho  of  the  darkened  nations  all  around,  ee 

Not  one  hath  changed  its  gods  which  are  not  gods. 

Even  the  very  ark  itself  was  taken 

To  force  by  wonders  worked  a  swift  return. 

So,  when  the  people  clamored  for  a  king, 

And  I  at  God's  command  anointed  thee  ^ 

To  be  the  prince  of  His  inheritance 

(The  day  that  thou,  missing  thy  father's  asses, 

Fluttered    the    maidens    when    the    seer     thou 

sought  est) , 

And  I  beheld  thy  stature,  thou  on  whom 
All  the  desire  of  Israel  was  rested, 
I  loved  thee  much,  and  hoped  thy  sway  might 

serve  65 

To  roll  the  tide  of  disobedience  back, 
And  keep  the  people  from  idolatry, 


62  JONATHAN 

Till  Shiloh  come  and  fill  the  yearning  earth 
With  grace  of  God,  as  waters  fill  the  sea 

70       But  God  regardeth  not  the  outward  show, 

As  man  must  judge  ;  He  looketh  on  the  heart. 
That  people  born  of  Esau,  Amalek, 
Whom  He  had  sworn  to  war  upon  and  blot 
Out  of  man's  memory,  was  made  a  test. 

75       God  gave  thee  glory  rarely  known  before, 

But  asked,  for  sweeping  victory,  submission. 
Yet  thou  didst  spare  the  king,   and   keep   the 

spoils 

For  bleating  sacrifice,  where  God  required 
Obedience.     When  the  Lord  His  people  took, 

80       As  wayward  children,  by  the  hand  to  lead  them 
Out  of  Egyptian  bondage,  not  to  them 
Spake  He  of  offerings  and  sacrifice  ; 
But  "  Hearken  unto  me,"  He  said,  "  and  walk 
In  all  my  ways,  and  I  will  be  your  God, 

85       And  ye  my  people. ' ' 


JONATHAN  63 

Tho  thy  sin  was  great, 
And  I  had  fully  cautioned  Israel, 
That,  shouldst  thou  practise  wickedness,  thyself 
And  all  would  be  consumed,  yet,  none  the  less, 
When   God   revealed   His  wrath    in    prayer,  I 

wrestled, 

That  He,  who  had  forgiven  us  from  Egypt  90 

Even  till  now,  might  turn  His  anger  back. 
But  He  foreknew  the  end  of  such  beginning. 
The  modesty,  the  singleness  of  aim, 
The  rugged  majesty  that  marked  thee  out 
Fitly  a  king,  are  f recked,  disfigured,  shattered.          95 
For  low  ambition,  petty  policy, 
Paltry  excuses  spun  to  cloak  thy  weakness, 
Have  raveled  out  thy  mind.    God  needs  thee  not. 
Like  the  false  light  that  comes  before  the  morn 
ing, 

Thou  must  pass.     The  Lord  in  anger  gave  thee       100 
And  in  His  wrath  He  taketh  thee  away. 
For  He  hath  found  another  implement 


64 JONATHAN 

Fitter  to  chisel  out  His  grand  design, 
And  thou  art  cast  aside. 

SAUL 

My  God  !     My  God  ! 

105     Why  hath  He  turned  His  face  away  from  me? 
My  sin  is  great,  but  I  repent  of  it 
In  dust  and  ashes  !     Shall  a  king  be  whelmed 
L,ike  a  poor  merchant,  whom  a  single  act 
Of  folly  steeps  in  ruin  ? 

SAMUEL, 

Not  thy  aas 

1 10     Have  wrought  thy  downfall.     Disobedience, 
Rebellion,  stubbornness,  the  reckless  will 
That  brought  thee  here  to  question  God's  decree 
And  compass  David's  death — 'tis  this  destroys 
The  part  of  thee  that  might  have  stood  ;  the  end 
115     Will  follow  soon.     Thinkst  thou  the  matter  light 
That   thou  shouldst  break  the  bond  of  God's 

control, 
And  waste  the  blessings  promised  ?     Is  it  light 


JONATHAN  65 

That  thou  shouldst  tempt  the  Lord  to  pour  upon 

us, 

In  all  its  wrath,  the  curse  pronounced  by  Moses  : 
That  even  the  gentle  breezes  bearing  rain  120 

Shall  turn  to  the  whirlwind,  driving  sand  and 

hail; 

Our  towns  be  compassed  round  with  savage  foes, 
Their  very  tongue  unknown  ;  our  loving  men 
Shall  turn  an  evil  eye  on  all  held  dear  ; 
Our  tender  women,  who,  for  daintiness,  125 

Would  not  adventure  even  to  touch  the  ground, 
Shall  fain  devour  the  little  ones  that  come 
Between  their  feet ;  and  that  God's  chosen  people, 
Tossing  among  the  nations  to  and  fro, 
At  last  shall  sell  themselves  unto  their  foes,  130 

And  none  shall  buy  them  ? 
SAUI, 

But,  my  son  ? 
SAMUEL, 

The  Lord 


66  JONATHAN 


Will  care  for  Jonathan.     Jehovah  sends  me 
Hither  and  thither  ;  something  I  divine 
From    such    employment ;     naught    beyond    is 
known. 

SAUL 

135     Is  there,  then,  nothing  Jonathan  or  I 
Can  do  to  save  the  throne  of  Israel  ? 
No  one  than  he  is  fitter.     I  will  place 
Upon  his  head  the  crown  that  I  have  lost. 
•Yea,  I  will  yield  my  life,  as  Aaron  did 

140     What  time  his  mantle  fell  on  Eleazer. 

For  I  have  loved  him  since  I  felt  his  breath 
Sweet  with  his  mother's  milk.     His  little  feet 
That  knew  not  how  to  walk,  his  boastful  boy 
hood 

And  his  majestic  manhood —       Thou  hast  loved 
him. 

145     Why  should  he,  too,  be  punished  ?     For  the  law 
Of  Moses  teaches  for  the  father's  sins 
The  children  shall  not  suffer. 


JONATHAN  67 

SAMUEL 

Yet  the  sinful 

May  bring  down  evil  on  the  sinless  head. 
Not  all  the  piety  of  Eli  saved 

His  household  when  his  sons  did  wickedly  ;  150 

I,  too,  have  suffered,  but  perhaps  with  guilt. 
Thy  horn  is  broken.     On  another's  head 
Have  I  the  holy  ointment  poured,  and  he 
Shall  rule  when  thou  art  gone. 
SAUL 

Is  all  the  honor 

Which  God  has  heaped  upon  my  house  departed  ?     1 55 
The  rains  descend,  the  waters  wear  the  hills, 
The  yawning  ocean  swallows  all  at  last ; 
Of  no  avail  is  anything  that  is. 
Jehovah  raised  me  from  the  dust  of  earth, 
In  highest  places  set  my  feet ;  He  made  me  160 

To  sit  at  princes'  feasts,  yet  casts  me  off 
As  one  that  is  a  hireling  when  he  is  old. 
Who  after  me  shall  wield  the  scepter  ? 


68  JONATHAN 


SAMUEL 

David, 

Whom   thou  wouldst  .slay,    but  God  will  keep 
from  harm. 

SAUL 

165     If  aught  that  I  have  ever  done  hath  pleased  thee, 
Here  take  my  life,  and  give  me  burial 
In  this  thy  solitude,  as  God  on  Nebo 
Granted  to  Moses  ;  so  that  I  may  hide 
The  shame  upon  me.     As  the  moving  waters 
170     Fail  from  the  sea,  the  river  drieth  up, 

So  may  I  sink  and  waste,  and  none  shall  say, 
' '  Where  is  he  ?' '     Let  me  die  and  rise  no  more. 
Not  till  the  heavens  fall  let  me  be  roused 
Out  of  my  sleep.     For  I  am  one  whose  hope 
Is  in  the  grave. 

[SAUL  strips  off  his  clothing  and  falls  down. 
SAMUEL 

The  Lord  will  soon  enough 
175     Require  thy  soul.    The  shame  is  light.    Thy  load 


JONATHAN  69 


Of  wickedness  is  more  than  thou  canst  bear. 

O  weak  and  wretched  man  !  Seek  thou  for 
giveness 

While  life  remains.  May  God  have  mercy  on 
thee. 


ACT    III 


71 


SCENE  I. — Near  Gibeah.     JONATHAN  alone. 
Enter  DAVID. 

DAVID 

What  have  I  done  ?     What  is  my  wickedness 
Wherefore  the  king,  thy  father,  seeks  my  life  ? 
As  my  soul  lives,  there's  but  a  step  between 
Me  and  death. 

JONATHAN 
Saul  can  not  seek  thy  life. 

DAVID 

He  came  to  Naioth,  where,  with  Samuel,  5 

I  lay  in  hiding.     Thrice  he  sent  his  servants. 
Within  the  prophet's  holy  presence,  all 
Were  moved  to  prophecy.     At  last  the  king 
In  person  sought  the  seer,  and  on  him  came 
The  spirit ;  all  that  day  and  all  that  night  10 

He  lay  upon  the  ground  and  prophesied  ; 

73 


74  JONATHAN 


And  men  who  saw,  in  wonder  asked,  "  Is  Saul, 
Also,  among  the  prophets?"     Thus  the  Lord 
His  purpose  turned  aside,  that  I  might  live. 

JONATHAN 
!c       He  went  to  Samuel  to  learn  God's  will. 

He  loved  thee  much.     But  now  he  dreads  thy 

prowess, 

And  hears  in  awe  those  mighty  psalms  of  thine 
That  call  the  wrath  of  God  upon  the  wicked. 
To-morrow  we  begin  to  celebrate 
20       The  waxing    moon ;    and,    at   the    feast,    thy 

presence 

Is  certainly  expected.     There,  I  hope 
That  I  may  make  between  the  king  and  thee 
A  reconciliation. 

DAVID 
Jonathan, 
I  must  remain  away. 

JONATHAN 

Thy  reason,  David  ? 


JONATHAN  75 

DAVID 

Dost  thou  recall  the  fabled  wasp  alighted  25 

Upon  a  farmer's  wagon?     When  the  man 
Upraised  his  cap  to  strike,  "  Wherefore,"  said  it, 
' '  Dost  thou  prepare  to  kill  me  ?     I  am  here 
With  best  of  feeling. "     "  Though  thy  feeling  be 
All  that  thou  sayest,"  said  the  farmer,  striking,         30^ 
1 '  How  do  I  know  but  that,  before  we  reach 
Our  journey's  end,  thou  wilt  sting  me  ?" 
JONATHAN 

What's  the  moral  ? 

DAVID 

Never  consort  with  men  who  fear  thee.     Now 
If  from  the  coming  feast  the  king  should  miss  me, 
Say  that  I  earnestly  requested  leave  35 

To  run  to  Bethlehem,  my  city,  where 
A  yearly  sacrifice  is  being  held 
By  all  my  family.     Should  he  say,   " 'Tis  well," 
Then  have  I  peace.     But  should  his  anger  rise, 
Then  am  I  sure  that  ill  is  planned  against  me.  40 


76 JONATHAN 

So  much  I  ask  because  we  swore  together. 

But  if  in  me  iniquity  is  found 

Thyself  shalt  slay  me  here.     For  why  shouldst 

thou 

Bring  me  before  thy  father  ? 
JONATHAN 

Have  thy  wish. 

45  I^ook  thou  at  yonder  rocks  called  Ezel,  crowned 
With  trees  that  show  the  simple  lines  of  winter. 
Thinkest  that  I  can  shoot  an  arrow  there  ? 

DAVID 
I  can,  if  thou  canst  not. 

JONATHAN 

I  take  the  challenge. 

[  They  shoot. 
My  arrow  falls  beyond. 

DAVID 

And  mine  falls  short. 
JONATHAN 
50       Hide  there  at  sunrise  on  the  second  day 


JONATHAN 77 

When  I  shall  hither  come  for  archery, 

Attended  by  a  lad  ;  I,  toward  the  rocks, 

As  tho  it  were  at  mark,  will  shoot  three  arrows. 

As  the  lad  shall  run  to  fetch  them,  if  I  call : 

"  Behold,  they  lie  beyond  thee  !"  go  thy  way.  55 

But  if  I  call :    "  The  arrows  lie  this  side  !" 

As  God  doth  live,  peace  and  not  harm  awaits  thee. 

DAVID 

Dear  Jonathan,  my  life  is  in  thy  hand  ; 
'Tis  safer  there  than  in  my  own,  and  I 
Would  make  thee  keeper  of  my  head  forever.  60 

But  now  I  feel,  looking  to  thee  for  help, 
That  thou  shouldst  know  the  truth.     The  seer 

at  Ramah 

Revealed  the  meaning  hidden  underneath 
The  ceremony,  when  he  poured  the  oil 
Upon  my  head  in  Bethlehem. 
JONATHAN 

Of  which  65 

Thou  hast  already  told  me  ? 


78  JONATHAN 


DAVID 

Yes,  when  I 

Toppled  Goliath  over.     Saul  has  learned 
The  meaning,  too. 

JONATHAN 
At  Ramah  ? 
DAVID 

Yes. 
JONATHAN 

My  David, 

Thou  needst  not  fear  to  speak  the  truth  to  me. 
•jo       Is  not  God's  oath  between  us  ?     Tell  me,  then, 
If  He  will  make  thee  king  instead  of  me. 

DAVID 

God's  gifts  are   tempered   when    they   are  be 
stowed. 

After  full  many  years  of  toil  they  come  ; 
Or,  if  in  youth,  then  bringing  sacrifice, 
75       That  they  may  be  worn  with  meekness.     Other 
wise 


JONATHAN  79 


The  heart  is  made  unmannerly,  and  all 

The  fruit  is  changed  to  ashes.     Here  we  stand, 

Brothers  in  law  and  love.     To  thee  the  crown 

Should  come  by  due  succession  ;  yet  to  me 

It  is  decreed.     My  heart  is  sadly  chastened  80 

Thus  to  supplant  thee.     God's  unchanging  will 

Can  not  be  turned  aside.     But  thou  shalt  be 

My  keeper  over  all,  and  in  the  throne 

Only  will  I  exceed,  as  Pharaoh  Joseph. 

JONATHAN 

Will  the  king  submit  ?     Will  all  the  pack  85 

That  fawn  upon  him  yelp  him  on  to  ruin  ? 
Will  both  of  us  survive  the  mighty  shock 
Should  he  attempt  to  force  from  me  resistance  ? 
The  foes  of  David,  flatterers  of  Saul, 
Every  one  at  war  with  Jonathan,  90 

Will  press  my  claim,  relying  on  my  virtue 
To  compass  my  destruction .     Now  the  curse 
That  Saul  declared  is  poised.     Of  what  avail 
Are  love  and  faith  and  service  ?  God  hath  forged 


8o  JONATHAN 


95       Out  of  my  buckler  bolts  that  pierce  my  heart. 
Without  a  place  of  refuge  must  I  run 
Hither  and  hither.     Swear  to  me  again 
That  thou  wilt  never  cut  thy  kindness  off 
From  me,  my  wife,  and  little  ones. 
DAVID 

I  swear 

100     By  great  Jehovah.     Yonder  rocks  of  Ezel 
Shall  stand  as  witness,  hearing  all  the  vows 
That  we  have  spoken.     Like  the  altar  raised 
By  all  the  tribes  that  dwell  beyond  the  Jordan, 
These  stones  shall  show  that  God,  in  choosing 
me, 

105     Hath  not  a  border  set  between  our  seed 

That  thou  shouldst  have  no  portion.     Courage, 

brother  ! 

God  is  a  shield  to  them  that  trust  in  Him  ; 
And,  like  the  wayward  swallow  still  a-wing, 
The  curse  without  a  cause  alighteth  not. 

no     The  Lord  will  slay  the  wicked  ones  that  strew 


JONATHAN 81 

Our  paths  with  adders'  fangs.    But  he  will  search 
Our  thoughts,  and  surely  show  us  how  to  tread 
The  per  feel:  way. 

JONATHAN 

I  go  to  seek  the  king. 

The  hand  of  Saul  shall  never  find  thee,  David. 
But  do  not  chafe  under  the  checks  that  hold  115 

Ambition  back  ;  for  life  is  all  too  changeful. 
Men  do  not  live  forever.     Youth  can  wait 
Until  the  footfalls  of  retiring  age 
Are  lost  in  silence,  and  still  run  his  race. 
After  that  Saul  is  gone,  and  thou  becomest  120 

A  king  among  the  people,  like  a  river 
That  doth  bedew  its  banks  and  rageth  not 
(Where  trees  may  spread  their  roots,  nor  fear  the 

heat, 

Bearing  blossom,  leaf,  and  grateful  fruit 
Alike  in  years  of  drouth  and  years  of  rain),  125 

If  thou  wilt  have  me  serve  thee  then,  'tis  well, 
Since  we  have  both  of  us  together  sworn 


82  JONATHAN 


That  God  the  I^ord  shall  be  between  thy  seed 
And  my  seed,  me  and  thee  forever. 
DAVID 

Faithful, 
130     Beloved  Jonathan,  farewell. 

[Exeunt  severally. 


ACT   IV 


SCENE  I. — Gibcah.     ABNER.     Enter  DOEG. 

ABNER 
Is  all  well? 

DOEG 
All  is  well. 

ABNER 
What  news  spurs  to  such  haste? 

DOEG 
Samuel  lies  at  Ramah — dead. 

ABNER 
As  any  Nobite  ? 

DOEG 
Yes,  priests  and  all. 

ABNER 
Well,  what  else?     Met  you  any  one  worthy  of 

mention  ? 

85 


86  JONATHAN 


DoEG 

Some  miles  below,  David — turned  toward  Beth- 
10  lehem. 

ABNER 

Send  Eshbaal  and  Palti  here.  Tell  them  the 
news  requires  haste.  Hold  your  peace  about 
David,  but  spread  Samuel's  death  through 
the  town,  that  Israel  may  mourn.  Hasten. 

[Exit  DOEG. 

15  Who  threw  the  stone  into  David's  bowl?  It  was 
his  proper  time  to  flee.  Palti  is  only  a 
spider  to  sting  him  with,  and  perhaps  anger 
him  into  rebellion.  As  for  Eshbaal,  he  will 
not  stand  the  hair-test ;  but  Saul  will  be  so 

20  angered  at  David's  flight,  and  so  strength 

ened  by  Samuel's  death,  that  he  will  agree 
to  anything  should  Jonathan  hold  out. 

Enter  PALTI 
My  Palti,  you  shall  wed  Michal  forthwith. 


JONATHAN  87 


PAI/TI 
What  shall  I  do  ? 

ABNER 

Nothing,  most  worthy   Palti.     And,  above   all,       25 
lest  you  muddle  everything,  say  nothing ; 
let  the  word  die  within  you.     Have  no  fear, 
it  will  not  burst  you.     When  I  send  word 
betake  yourself  to  Michal. 

PALTI 
But  what  will  David  and  Michal  do  to  me  ?  30 

ABNER 

Idyllic  quarrels  you  must  settle,  my  Palti.  L,eave 
David  to  me.  I  will  arrange  the  thing  with 
Saul.  To  be  a  princely  son-in-law  is  worth 
— even  marriage.  Noble  Palti,  go. 

[Exit  PALTI.     Enter  KSHBAAL. 

ABNER 

The  seer  is  dead.  35 

[Cries  of  mourning  without. 


JONATHAN 


ESHBAAL 

All  the  people  mourn  him,  the  grandest  prophet 
since  Moses. 

ABNER 

Well,  let  them  mourn.     Pressure  of  affairs  stifles 

sorrow.       The    warrior  -  politician  -  prophet 

40  dead,   David's  hope  dies  with  him.     Who, 

now,  will  tell  of  that  anointing,  or  believe  it 

if  told?     You,  Saul,  Jonathan  and   I — no 

others  hold  it  certain,  barring  David ;  and 

Jonathan  must  side  with  us.     Would  you  be 

45  king  ? 

ESHBAAL 
Jonathan  will  not  side  with  us. 

ABNER 

I^et  him  go.     Why  force  him  to  take  a  crown 

which  he  despises.     Think  of  David,   that 

captain  of  malcontents  and  beggars  gathered 

50  up  from  every  cranny  of  Judea,  made  king, 

and  picking  his  ministers  from  out  his  rab- 


JONATHAN 


ble  !     What  respect  shall  we  men  of  weight 
and  substance  find  in  such  a  motley  crew  ? 
It  shall  not  be.    David  has  bored  Jonathan's 
ear,    and  holds  him  slave   for  life.     They       55 
can  not  meet  but  Jonathan  must  be  unshoe 
ing  himself.     You  shall  take  his  place. 
ESHBAAI, 

But  will  Saul  accede  ?  When  he  returned  from 
Ramah  he  seemed  resigned  or  dead  to  all 
hope.  60 

ABNER 

Because  your  father  has  eaten  sour  grapes,  must 
your  teeth  be  set  on  edge?  Besides,  he 
must  accede.  You  know  his  temper.  Jona 
than  with  him  rules  him  ;  Jonathan  away, 
anger  lashes  Saul  to  fury.  When  Saul  has  65 
caught  the  import  of  Samuel's  death,  which 
I  will  forcibly  expound,  David  shall  envy 
the  fox  his  hole  to  hide  him  in  ;  and,  if  we 
catch  him  sunning,  we  will  not  smite  the 


90  JONATHAN 


70  fellow  twice.     When  the  king  is  gone  hunt 

ing  with  David,  Jonathan  will  lose  control 
of  his  temper — and  of  Saul.  What  say  you, 
Eshbaal  ? 

ESHBAAI, 

Both   Melchishua   and    Abinidab,    being    elder, 
75  should  be  preferred  before  me. 

ABNER 

The  younger  cattle  feed  in  the  front.     You  of 

all  your   father's  sons  alone  sustain   him. 

Remember,  the  heel  of  the  slow  is  scarred. 

Press  on  and  the  crown  is  yours.     Now  go, 

go  prepare  for  the  feast. 

ESHBAAL 
Does  David  come  ? 

ABNER 

I  trust  so,  but  do  not  surely  know.     I  shall  seek 
the  king,  to  tune  his  mind  to  our  plans. 

[Exeunt  severally. 


JONATHN  91 


SCENE  II. — The  same.     SAUL  and  ABNER. 

ABNER 

Your  chief  herdsman,  Doeg,  who  dispatched  the 
herd  of  priests  caught  assisting  David,  re 
ports  Samuel  dead  at  Ramah. 

SAUL 
I  heard  the  wailing,  and  learned  the  news. 

ABNER 

It  is  a  happy  chance ;  David's  claim  dies  with         5 
Samuel. 

SAUL 
How? 

ABNER 

For  lack  of  proof.     The  claim  is  based  on  the 
anointing,  which  no  one  knows  of  excepting 
David's    family,    and    yours,    and    myself.        10 
Their  word  will  stand  for  nothing,  and  we 
will  all  deny  it. 


92 JONATHAN 

SAUL 

Yes,    all  excepting  Jonathan,    whose  yea    will 
stand  against  a  world  of  nays. 

ABNER 

1 5  But  Jonathan  will  take  the  crown,  or  will  yield 
the  place  apparent  to  a  more  filial  son — 
Melchishua,  Abinidab,  Eshbaal,  as  you 
choose.  One  must  be  selected. 

SAUL 

When    were    you     appointed     anointer?       Did 
20  Ramah's  seer  bequeath  his  prophet's  horn 

to  you  ? 

ABNER 

Have  your  fling.    Then  consider  this  :   Jonathan 
rejects   the   crown ;    David,    he   approving, 
claims  it ;  we  oppose.       How  can  we  make 
25  headway  without  a  head  ?     All  will  be  one 

to  3'ou,  but  I  will  not  submit  that  a  king  be 
made  of  this  Moabitish  thorn. 


JONATHAN  93 


SAUL 

Quite  right.  For  you  to  have  a  royal  cousin 
serves  you  instead  of  kingly  place.  If  David 
were  king,  Joab  would  be  his  Abner,  would  30 
pluck  the  plums  that  David  missed,  and 
would  find  the  gleanings  better  than  all  your 
vintage. 

ABNER 
Ever  so  it  has  been  since  Jonathan  bowed  the 

knee  to  David.  35 

SAUI, 
What  has  been  ? 

ABNER 

That  your  friends  are  put  to  shame,  and  your 
enemies  rejoiced ;  and  so  it  will  be  until  a 
son  appointed  to  take  your  place  is  named — 

SAUI, 
It  is  Jonathan.  40 

ABNER 
— And  shirks  it  not. 


94  JONATHAN 


He  shall  not  shirk  it.     I  tell  you  this  :    if  at  the 

coming  feast,  finding  occasion,  you  stir  dis 

cord  up  with  David,  prompt  some  act  that 

45  may  appear  to  be  directed  toward  my  person, 

on  the  flash  I  will  pin  him  where  he  sits. 

[Noise  without. 
ABNER 
What  call  is  that  ? 

Enter  PAI/TI 
We  might  pick  a  quarrel  over  Palti. 

PAI/TI 
Nay,  by  your  leave. 

ABNER 
50       We  will  start  no  strife  for  you  to  carry  on. 

SAUL 
If  nothing  better  offer,  he  will  do. 

[Exeunt. 


JONATHAN  95 


SCENE  III. —  Gibeah.  The  Feast  of  the  New 
Moon.  Enter  a  procession  <?/"  PRIESTS,  chant 
ing. 

PRIESTS 

Sing  aloud  unto  God  our  strength  ; 
Make  a  joyful  noise  to  the  God  of  Jacob. 
Take  up  a  psalm  and  bring  hither  the  timbrel, 
The  pleasant  harp,  with  the  psaltery. 
Blow  up  the  trumpet  in  the  new  moon,  5 

In  the  time  appointed,  our  solemn  feast  day  ; 
For  'tis  a  statute  of  the  house  of  Jacob, 
It  is  an  ordinance  of  the  God  of  Israel. 

\_Exeunt  procession  of  PRIESTS. 
Enter  COOKS,  with  caldrons,  firewood,  meats,  etc. 
They  prepare  the  feast  and  spread  the   table. 
They  sing. 

COOKS 
Pick  the  choicest  from  the  flock, 

Sparing  neither  lamb  nor  wether  ;  10 


96 JONATHAN 

Pile  the  fuel,  branch  and  stock, 
Burning  wood  and  bones  together. 

Heat  the  caldron  till  it  boil, 

Fill  it  full  of  thigh  and  shoulder  ; 
15  Feed  the  flames  with  fat  and  oil, 

Never  let  the  fire  smolder. 

\Exeunt  COOKS. 

Enter   ABNER,  with  ESHBAAI,,    PAI/TI,    DOEG, 
and  ADRIEL.     ABNER  seats  the  others. 

ABNER 

The  king  will  come  soon.     This  seat  upon  his 
left  is  mine  ;  Eshbaal  next  to  me  ;  Adriel 
next  ;    Palti  and  Doeg  will  sit  across  from 
20  you,    leaving   next  to  Saul,    and  upon  his 

right  hand,  a  place  for  princely  David  ;  for 
he  seeks  the  seat  of  honor  from  the  king. 
Jonathan  must  needs  take  the  farther  end. 

Enter  MELCHISHUA  and  ABINADAB. 
Melchishua,    seat    yourself  to  the  right  of  the 


JONATHAN  97 


place    reserved    for     Jonathan,     and    you,        25 

Abinadab,  upon  the  left. 

Enter  ARMONI  and  MEPHIBOSHETH. 
The  sons  of  Rizpah  will  sit  upon  either  side, 

near  the  farther  end.     Guess,  my  friends,  a 

riddle :  Who   is  it  eats  the  fat  and  drinks 

the  sweet  himself,  and  sends  what  is  left  to       30 

them  that  lack  ? 

DOEG 
David,  who  eats  all  of  the  meat  and  leaves  the 

bones  for  the  rest  of  us  to  gnaw  upon. 

ABNER 
Scarcely  timely.     Adriel,  give  us  a  song  while 

we  are  awaiting  the  king.     Come,  tho  your       35 

voice  be  ever  so  tuneful,  to  hear  you  is  not 

worth  coaxing  for. 

ADRIEL  {sings) 

Ho  !  for  a  feast  when  the  moon  is  new, 
With  hearty  cheer  and  friendship  true, 


98  JONATHAN 


40  And  wine  that  sparkles  like  the  dew, 

And  lightens  every  face. 

But  when  the  moon  is  thin  and  old, 
And  the  midnight  sky  is  dark  and  cold, 
It  is,  oh  !  for  rest  in  the  time  untold, 
45  And  a  grave  in  a  sheltered  place. 

Enter  SAUL. 

SAUL 

Thy  song,  my  son,  would  rival  somber  Egypt, 
Where,  at  a  feast,  a  death's-head  fills  a  place 
To  check  the  bubbling  flow  of  jollity. 
Snatch  joy  ;  it  will  not  wait  the  seeker's  hand. 

[All  rise. 
ALL 
50       Welcome,  mighty  ruler. 

SAUL 

Welcome  all, 

My  sons  and  friends.     I  greet  you,  each  in  turn  ; 
Melchishua,  Abinadab,  Armoni, 


JONATHAN  99 


Adriel,  Eshbaal,  Mephibosheth, 

Palti  and  Doeg,  Cousin  Abuer — welcome, 

Each  one  and  all,  to  this  our  festival.  55 

[All  seat  themselves. 
But  where  are  Jonathan  and  David  ? 
ESHBAAL 

Yonder 
Jonathan  appears. 

Enter  JONATHAN. 
JONATHAN 
My  king  and  father. 
SAUL 
My  well-beloved  son. 

[JONATHAN  starts  to  seat  himself  next  to 
SAUL,  on  his  right. 
ABNER 

The  seat  reserved 
For  David. 

[JONATHAN  goes  to  the  farther  end  of  the 
table  and  stands  there. 


ioo  JONATHAN 


JONATHAN 

Happy  day  to  one  and  all. 
60       How  gay   the    feast    appears !      Good-morrow, 

Palti. 
I  never  saw  thee  show  so  glad  a  face. 

DOEG  OSAUL] 
David  is  fleeing. 

ABNER  [to  JONATHAN] 

Palti  weds  with  Michal. 
JONATHAN 
Palti  weds  Michal  ? 

SAUL 

David  fled  ? 
JONATHAN 

No  tongue 

Is  foul  enough,  save  thine,  to  speak  a  thing 
65       So  gross.     Is  nothing  held  by  thee  as  sacred  ? 
Wife,  husband,  brother,  sister,  child — 
Must  all  be  sacrificed  to  thy  designs, 
That  smell  so  rank  the  putrid  odor  stifles 


JONATHAN  101 


The  breath  of  all  the  people  ?     Not  so  long 

As  I  may  live  shall  such  a  crime  be  done.  70 

ABNER 

Am  I  a  dog's  head  so  to  be  berated, 
For  kindness  shown  to  thee  and  all  thy  house, 
While  thou  wouldst  set  the  throne  of  David  up 
From  Dan  to  Beersheba  ? 

SAUL 

My  son  and  cousin, 

The  pledge  to  Palti  stands  but  partly  made.  75 

But  David — saidst  thou,  Doeg,  David  flees  ? 
He  was  not  purified,  and  therefore  comes  not. 
Tell  me,  son. 

JONATHAN 

He  asked  my  leave  to  go 
To  Bethlehem,  where  all  his  household  keep 
A  yearly  sacrifice  ;  and,  therefore,  comes  not.  80 

SAUL 

Son  of  a  perverse  and  rebellious  woman, 
Hast  thou  not  chosen  him  to  thine  own  shame, 


102  JONATHAN 


And  to  the  shame  of  thy  mother's  nakedness  ? 
While  David  lives  upon  the  ground,  thy  kingdom 
85       Will  never  be  established.     Therefore,  send 
And  fetch  him  here,  that  he  may  surely  die. 

JONATHAN 
Why  should  David  be  slain  ?     What  has  he  done  ? 

SAUL 
He  is  a  rebel. 

ABNER 
Rebel  ! 
SEVERAL 

Rebel! 
JONATHAN 

Rebel, 
Because  the  king  rebels  against  Jehovah. 

[SAUL  casts  his  javelin  at  JONATHAN. 
90       When  traitors  rend  thee,  call  me  back  again. 

[Exit  JONATHAN.      The  feast  breaks  up  in 
confusion. 


ACT    V 


103 


SCENE  I.  —  Gibeah.     Enter  JONATHAN  and 
ELHANAN,  a  lad. 

ELHANAN 

Will  there  be  giants  when  I'm  grown  a  man 
As  big  as  David  ? 

JONATHAN 
Yes,  Elhanan,  doubtless. 


I  can  sling  ?  stone  as  straight  as  he. 

JONATHAN 
Then  bide  thy  time,  and  thou  wilt  find  a  mark. 

ELHANAN 
I  fear  they'll  all  be  killed. 

JONATHAN 

Nay,  fear  not  so. 

Each  battle  hath  its  giants  ;  many  lack 
Their  David.     L,et  me  see  thee  try  thy  skill. 
Canst  thou  a  pebble  sling  to  yonder  rocks  ? 

105 


io6  _  JONATHAN  _ 

ELHANAN 
If  I  but  find  a  stone  will  sail,  I  can. 

JONATHAN 

10       Here  is  a  round  and  flat  one.     Do  thy  best  ; 
'Tis  always  worth  thy  while  to  hit  the  mark. 

[ELHANAN  slings  the  stone. 
Well  thrown.    But  couldst  thou  hit  a  giant  there  ? 

ELHANAN 
I'd  run  up  closer. 

JONATHAN 
I^et  me  try  an  arrow. 

[JONATHAN  shoots. 
The  wind  blew  that  aside.     Another,  boy. 

\Shoots  again. 

15       Too  much  allowance.     Just  one  other  try 
For  yonder  tree-tip. 

[Shoots  a  third  time. 
That  was  fairly  shot. 


There's  no  one  else  could  do  it. 


JONATHAN  107 


JONATHAN 

Fetch  them  here. 
[ELHANAN  runs  for  the  arrows. 
Behold  !     The  arrows  lie  beyond  thee,  boy. 
Enter  suddenly  ABNER,  DOEG  and  TROOPERS 
in  search  of  DAVID. 

ABNER 
Whom  dost  thou  look  for  ? 

JONATHAN 

Answer  me  the  question. 
ABNER 
I  seek  the  traitor. 

JONATHAN 

I  have  found  him  here.  20 

ABNER 
Is  David  hereabout  ? 

JONATHAN 

Nay,  Abner  is. 
ABNER 
I  hold  commission  from  the  king. 


io8 JONATHAN 

JONATHAN 

And  David 

Commission  from  the  King  of  kings. 
ABNER 

Produce  it. 
JONATHAN 

Jehovah  once  was  King  in  Israel. 
25       He  said  to  this  one  ' '  Come, ' '  to  that  one  ' '  Go, ' ' 
And  they  obeyed.     And,  like  a  lion  crouching 
Or  leaping  from  his  lair,  the  mighty  nation 
Throughout  the  hosts  opposing  scattered  dread. 
Then  rulers  held  from  God  their  high  commission. 
30       How  is  it  now  ?     Philistine  armies  massed 
Ready  to  spring  upon  us  ;  from  the  North 
Judgment  approaching  ;  in  the  farthest  East 
No  hope  appears. 

DOBG 

Our  hope  is  hid  with  David, 
And  thou  alone  canst  tell  us  where  to  search. 
53       We  hear  he  flees  to  Gath. 


JONATHAN  109 


JONATHAN  [to  DOEG] 

Go,  seek  him  there. 
ABNER  [to  DOEG] 
If  thou  dost  ne'er  return  'tis  something  gained. 

[To  JONATHAN] 

Hath  not  the  king  decreed?    And  thou,  at  least, 
Shouldst  know  his  will    and    not    attempt    to 
thwart  it. 

JONATHAN 

I  thwart  him  not.     The  king  is  sceptered  right. 
He  may  not  let  his  wrath  or  cursed  advisers  40 

Seat  themselves  on   his  throne.      The  meanest 

sub  j  eel: 
May  front  a  king  who  thus  unseats  himself. 

ABNER 

He  may,  and  lose  his  head — 
JONATHAN 

To  save  the  state. 

You  eat  the  fat  and   clothe    yourselves    with 
wool. 


1 10  JONATHAN 

45       You  kill  the  fallings,  but  feed  not  the  sheep. 
You  do  not  heal  the  sick,  nor  bind  the  broken, 
Nor  in  the  desert  seek  the  one  that  strays. 
But  he  whom  God  hath  set  His  seal  upon 
Is  hunted  like  a  partridge  in  the  mountains. 
[  To  the  TROOPERS] 

50       Ho  !     My  men  ! 

Turn  you  away  from  hunting  David  here 
And  follow  me,  your  prince.     This  shifty  Abner 
Hath  fooled  the  king  to  his  own  betterment. 
The  time  is  come  when,  like  the  elusive  sand, 

55       He  and  all  they  that  follow  him  will  slip 

Here — there — away,  and  let  the  kingdom  fall. 
Stand  you  with  me,  or  would  you  flee  with  him  ? 
[The    TROOPERS    range    themselves    -with 
JONATHAN. 

TROOPERS 
The  prince  !     God  save  the  Prince  of  Israel ! 

ABNER 
The  king  will  punish  this. 


JONATHAN iii 

JONATHAN 

No  hurt  shall  fall 

On  one  of  these  while  my  head  keeps  its  seat.  60 

{Exeunt  JONATHAN  and  the  TROOPERS. 

ABNER 
Go,  seek  out  David.     I  have  other  business. 

[Exit  ABNER. 
DoEG 
And  I  will  seek  for  game  that's  safer  found. 

[Exit  DOEG. 


ii2  JONATHAN 


SCENE  II. — A  wood  in  the  wilderness  of  Ziph. 
Morning.     Enter  JONATHAN. 

JONATHAN 

Here,  said  the  message.     I  will  plant  my  spear 
And  hang  my  cap  upon  it ;  'twas  the  signal. 
Of  all  the  kings  of  time  the  kingliest, 
David  must  flee  because  our  paths  have  crossed. 
5         Here  will  I  see  him  and  will  strengthen  him, 
Lest  he  despair. 

Enter  DAVID. 
My  David ! 
DAVID 

Jonathan  ! 
JONATHAN 

Thou  standest  on  the  mountain  fair  of  youth, 
Whence  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  teeming  earth, 
And  all  their  glory,  seem  within  thy  reach. 
10       Thy  day  will  surely  come.     But  I,  who  long 
To  see  its  splendor  even  as  they  that  watch 


JONATHAN  113 


Await  the  morning,  shall  have  gone  the  way 
Where  no  returning  footsteps  ever  fall. 

DAVID 

Let  not  the  staff  that  I  would  lean  upon 
Be  snatched  from  me,  while  I  am  toiling  on  15 

Unto  the  cold  and  lone  and  kingly  summit ! 
My  flagging  footsteps  halt,  my  hope  is  gone. 
I  cry  aloud  ;  and,  in  the  vacant  air, 
My  voice  doth  waste  itself.     Oh  !  brutal  age, 
That  finds  no  fitting  place  for  such  a  man  !  20 

If  thou  art  gone,  of  whom  shall  I  be  king  ? 
Or,  lacking  thee,  how  shall  I  learn  to  rule  ? 
Flee,  brother  !  let  the  host  be  slain,  but  save, 
To  prop  my  kingdom,  that  majestic  form 
Which  long  hath  borne  the  brunt  of  every  tem 
pest  25 
That  beat  upon  the  throne.      Thy  love  would 

save  me, 

When  on  the  dizzy  height  of  power  I  stand, 
From  all  the  arrows  that  Philistine  wars 


ii4  JONATHAN 


Or  fierce  temptations  aim.     Be  ruled,  and  fly  ! 

JONATHAN 

30       I  could  not  live  with  such  remembrance,  David. 
My  course  is  straight  and  brief. 
DAVID 

Oh,  bitter  fate  ! 

A  kingdom  flung  at  me  with  such  rude  force 
That  thou  art  slain  beside  me.     I  must  pick 
The  fragments  up  and  piece  the  throne  together. 

JONATHAN 

35       The  heavens,  indeed,  are  black  ! .  Thy  star  alone 
Shines  through  a  rift.     Upon  thy  shoulders  rests 
The  covenant  of  God  with  Israel, 
The  hope  of  all  this  world.     Through  thee  must 

come 

A  universal  brotherhood,  where  now 
40       Each  man  doth  turn  his  arm  against  his  neighbor. 
Not  in  all  the  earth  liath  one  appeared 
On  whom  such  hope  has    rested.     Art    thou, 
David, 


JONATHAN  115 

He  that  should  come,  or  wait  we  for  another  ? 

Thy  heart — is  it  so  fair  as  thy  fair  face  ? 

And  is  thy  soul  so  high  as  thy  great  courage  ?  45 

Canst  thou  upon  thy  slender  body  bear 

The  crushing  weight  of  anguish  cast  on  him 

Whose  single  life  shall   change    the   heart    of 

man? 
Wilt    thou    wear   out    thy   life,    thy    soul,    thy 

heart, 
L/ike    Moses    struggling    toward    the   promised 

land  ?  50 

Oh,  brother  !  stand  for  God,  tho  all  the  herd 
Shall  trample  thee  to  dust,  or  wife  and  children — 
All  who  may  claim  a  seat  beside  thy  hearth — 
Shall  rend  thee.     Be  a  king  in  deed  and  truth, 
Tho  all  thy  subjects  mock  and  buffet  thee.  55 

The  wrong  may  seem  to  triumph,  but  the  right 
Is    still    eternal.      God    will    teach   thee  judg 
ment  ; 
For  thou  art  called  of  Him  to  feed  His  flocks, 


u6  JONATHAN 


And   guide    them   with   the   wholeness   of   thy 

heart. 

DAVID 
60       Oh,  may  He  lead  me  in  the  perfect  way 

Which  thou   hast    shown    me.     May  he    come 

to  me, 

That  I,  within  my  house  with  simple  heart 
May  ever  walk,  nor  base  ambition  know  ; 
But  on  the  faithful  of  the  land  may  fix 
65       My    eyes,    that    they    shall  dwell  with  me  in 

peace ; 

And  I  may  take  my  stand  in  line  with  those 
Who  from  the  past  in  great  or  lowly  place 
Have  handed  on  our  heritage  of  truth. 
So  may  our  parting  chasten  my  sad  heart, 
70       That  still  to  all  the  world  our  love  shall  prove 
How  friend  may  strengthen  friend-     While  I  but 

stand 

As  thou  hast  taught  me  there  is  no  defeat, 
And  when  I  die  I  lay  me  down  with  thee. 


JONATHAN  117 


JONATHAN 

Go,  brother,  run  thy  course,  and  may  the  end 
Crown  the  beginning.     I  must  seek  my  father  75 

For  one  last  meeting. 

DAVID 

God  thy  mission  bless. 

[Exeunt  severally. 


n8  JONATHAN 


SCENE  III. — Near  Mount  Gilboa  at  night.   JONA 
THAN  alone  at  the  door  of  his  tent. 

JONATHAN 

Who  looks  upon  this  ordered  universe, 
And  seeks  no  further  than  its  marshaling  ? 
The  pinioned  reason  beats  against  the  bars 
Of  nature's  conservations,  and  escapes 

5         To  soar  and  see  the  great  Creator's  face. 

The  earth  that  stands  at  rest  from  nothing  hung, 
The  stars  that  cheer  us  in  our  treadmill  lives, 
God's  diadem  the  sun,  the  sky  serene 
That  guards  for  us  the  bounds  of  vision — all 

10  Proclaim  by  day  and  night  the  thoughts  of  God. 
As  David  says,  there  is  no  speech  nor  language, 
Their  voice  can  not  be  heard ;  yet  through  the 

earth 

Their  line  is  gone,  their  words  to  the  end  of  the 
world. 


JONATHAN  119 


We  learn  a  little  part,  and  say,  ' '  Behold, 

It  is  nothing  "  ;  and  the  whole  is  hid  from  us.  I^ 

For  where  were  we  when   God  ordained  their 

bounds 
And  put  each  star  in    place?      Their  courses 

fixed 

Typify  the  set  unchanging  rule 
That  brings  the  spring   and   harvest,  day  and 

night, 

Summer  and  winter  ;  which  the  God  of  all  20 

The  hosts  of  heaven,  by  a  compact  firm, 
Sealed  with  the  rainbow,  unto  Noah  promised, 
Shall  while  the  earth  remaineth  still  endure. 

If  he  ruled  o'er  the  heart  the  tumult  raging  25 

In  every  bosom  soon  would  still  itself, 

And  all  would  be  at  rest.     But  now,  instead, 

Hatred,  rebellion,  plague  and  pestilence, 

Famine  and  fury  break  the  peace  of  nature  ; 

While  things  eternal  pass  unnoted  by. 


120  JONATHAN 


[AHINOAM,  JONATHAN'S  wife,  within  the 
tent,  sings. 

AHINOAM 
30       My  heart  seeks  after  thee,  but  thou  art  gone. 

Once  we — oh  !  joyous  years — 
Shared  in  each  other's  hopes  and  fears  ; 
But  now  I  am  alone. 

My  hope  would  cling  to  thee,  but  thou  dost  sleep. 

Some  day — oh  !  will  it  be  ? — 
35       I  shall  be  joined  again  with  thee  ; 
But  now  alone  I  weep. 

Enter  from  the  tent  JONATHAN'S  wife  with  their 
two  children. 

AHINOAM 

Do  thou  not  let  the  choice  of  David  weigh 
Thy  spirit  down.     For  they  who  bear  the  rule 
40       Must  adl  from  policy  ;  a  lowly  place 

Admits  of  clearer  life  ;  and,  in  the  end, 


JONATHAN  121 


The  virtues  bred  in  secret  make  the  state, 
No  matter  who  is  king. 

JONATHAN 

My  dearest  wife, 

The  state  is  jarred  to  breaking.     David  flees — 
To  Gath,  to  join  with  Achish  there,  I  fear.  45 

Jehovah's  open  enemies  are  gathered 
Upon  our  borders,  while  his  secret  foes 
Surround   the  king,    and  lead   him   bound  like 

Samson, 

And  blinder,  knowing  not  that  he  is  bound. 
All  of  his  people,  even  the  ark  of  God  50 

Is  placed  in  jeopardy.     Thy  life,  our  children  ; 
Nothing  is  safe. 

AHINOAM 

The  L,ord  will  guard  His  own. 
JONATHAN 

Yes  ;  but  who  can  bow  to  God's  decrees 
That  crush  his  heart  ?  These  prattlers,  each  afraid 
Of  the  boo  of  the  other — half  afraid  of  his  own —       55 


122  JONATHAN 

What  fate  will  visit  them  if  I  be  taken  ? 
Affliction's  net  will  trammel  you,  and  want 
Will  come  upon  you  like  an  armed  man. 

AHINOAM 

Then  flee  with  us,  my  dearest  love,  for  safety. 
JONATHAN 

60       It  would  not  be  thy  love  who  fled  with  thee. 
If  God  should  grant  that  thou  and  I  may  live 
Until  the  whirlwind  of  his  fury  passes 
And  David  mounts  the  throne  of  Israel, 
Together  we  will  seek  the  cooling  shadow 

65       Of  some  great  rock,  and  dwell  in  peace  and  love. 

AHINOAM 

Hast  thou  no  pity  for  thy  little  children 
And  hapless  me,  their  mother  ?     Must  I  look 
To  see  thee  slain,  and  some  Philistine  fiend 
Drag  us  away,  while  thy  dear  body  lieth 

70       Upon  the  ground,  for  birds  and  beasts  to  tear? 
Better  that  we  should  go  the  way  of  death 
Than  live  when  thou  art  gone. 


JONATHAN 123 

JONATHAN 

These  things,  dear  wife, 
I,    too,    have    thought    of.     May    my    ears    be 

stopped 

In  sleep  eternal  e'er  I  hear  thy  crying, 
When  thou  hast  lost  the  light  of  liberty.  75 

But  if  Jehovah  hath  for  us  in  store 
Such  fate,  where,  fleeing,  can  we  find  escape  ? 
Yet  may  these  children  fill  thy  heart  with  pride, 
When  thou  hast  heard  their  praise  in  higher  note 
Than  ever  mine  was  sung;  and  may  they  rise  80 

And  call  thee  blessed.     Loved  Ahinoam, 
The  wife  I  wedded  in  my  stainless  youth, 
The  dear  companion  to  my  plighted  vows  ; 
Thou  hast  rejoiced  the  heart  that  trusted  thee, 
And  done  me  good,  not  evil,  all  our  days.  85 

Beauty  and  grace  and  dignity  have  clothed  thee, 
And  kindness  ruled  thy  life. 
AHINOAM 

My  staff,  my  strength, 


124  JONATHAN 

Full  seven  times  the  righteous  man  may  fall 
And  rise  again  ;  and,  tho  he  rise  no  more, 
90       Yet,  in  the  thought  of  God  and  men  remembered, 
He  marcheth  on  forever  crowned  in  triumph, 
The  vidlor  for  the  prizes  undefiled. 

JONATHAN 

My  little  ones,  my  glorious  wife,  your  pathway 
Is  like  the  parting  branches  when  the  hart 
95       L,eaps  in  the  thicket !     I  must  watch  awhile. 
Good-night,  good-night,  good-night. 

[He  embraces  and  kisses  them. 
All  that  the  chastened  spirit  wants  is  promised  : 
The  eternal  God  to  be  thy  dwelling-place, 
And,  underneath,  the  everlasting  arms. 

\Exeunt  AHINOAM  and  the  children   into 
the  tent. 

JONATHAN 

IOO     How  long,  oh  L,ord  !    Wilt  Thou  forget  forever  ? 
How  long  wilt  Thou  withhold  Thy  face  from 
me? 


JONATHAN  125 

How  long  shall  I  take  counsel  in  my  soul, 
With  sorrow  in  my  heart  through  all  the  day  ? 

Consider  now,  and  answer  me,  my  God  ! 

Lighten  mine  eyes,  that  I  sleep  not  in  death  ;  105 

Lest  they  that  trouble  me  prevail  against  me, 

And  they  that  cherish  me  be  filled  with  woe. 

But  I  have  trusted  in  Thy  mercy  ever, 

My  heart  shall  yet  rejoice  in  Thy  salvation  ; 

And  I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord  my  God,  no 

Because  with  me  He  hath  dealt  lovingly. 

[AHINOAM,  in  the  tent,  sings. 
AHINOAM 

The  sun  will  shine  as  bright  to  thee, 
Thy  smile  will  be  as  sweet  for  me, 

As  tho  he  were  not  gone. 

The  world  moves  on  without  concern  ;  115 

And  this  from  thee  I  gently  learn, 
My  little  one. 


126  JONATHAN 


While  over  thee  my  watch  I  keep, 
Rest  thou,  and  sweetly  dreaming,  sleep, 
1 20  As  tho  he  were  not  gone. 

And  in  thy  slumber  I  will  find 
A  balm  to  heal  my  troubled  mind, 
My  little  one. 

Grow  on,  unchecked,  in  every  part, 
125  In  body,  spirit,  mind,  and  heart, 

As  tho  he  were  not  gone. 
L,ife  is  still  with  gladness  fraught ; 
And  this  assurance  thou  hast  taught, 
My  little  one. 

Enter  ZIBA. 
JONATHAN 
130     What  fateful  tiding  brings  thee  here  in  haste? 

ZIBA 

I  am  one  of  those  who  went  with  Saul  to-night 
To  En-dor  from  Gilboa.     Saul  had  called 
Upon  the  Lord  to  learn  the  fate  in  store, 
But  no  prophetic  word  or  sign  had  come 


JONATHAN 127 

By  dreams,  by  Urim  and  Thummim,nor  by  seers.       J35 

At  last  the  king  bade  me  to  ferret  out 

A  woman  troubled  with  a  familiar  spirit. 

At  En-dor  found  I  such  an  one,  and  led 

The  king  unto  her  cloaked  in  deep  disguise. 

He  asked  that  she  should  bring  up  Samuel.  140 

Something  she  muttered  ;  then  she  started  wildly 

And  cried  aloud,  "Wherefore  hast  thou  deceived 

me? 
Thou  art  Saul !  "    "  Woman,  what  seest  thou  ?  ' ' 

he  asked. 

' '  I  see  a  god  arising. "     "  What  his  form  ?  ' ' 
' '  An  old  man  covered  with  a  robe, ' '  she  answered.      H5 
Then  Saul  divined  that  Samuel  was  risen, 
And  fell  upon  the  ground.     And  Samuel  said, 
"  Wherefore  dost  thou  disquiet  me,  since  God 
Hath  rent  the  kingdom  from  thee,  and  bestowed  it 
Upon  thy  neighbor,  David?     Yea,  to-morrow  150 

All  thy  great  host  Jehovah  will  destroy, 
And  thou  shalt  be  with  me. ' ' 


128 JONATHAN 

JONATHAN 

What  said  he  more  ? 
ZIBA 
"Thou,  and  thy  sons." 

JONATHAN 

My  hour  is  come  at  last. 
Enter  a  MESSENGER. 

MESSENGER 
Saul  doth  call  for  aid. 

JONATHAN 

Unfurl  my  banner. 
155     Say  that  none  are  called  save  men  like  those 

Who  fought  with  Gideon,  each  from  an  hundred 
picked. 

[Exit  MESSENGER. 
ZIBA 

'Twere  better  we  should  end  our  lives  ourselves 
Than  fall  a  prey  to  foes  uncircumcised. 

JONATHAN 
God  gave  my  life,  and  tho  fulfilled  of  sorrow 


JONATHAN 129 

Hath  it  been  ever,  He  alone  shall  take  it.  160 

My  heart  shall  not  reproach  me  while  I  live  ; 
My   soul   shall   take   its   flight   from   earth   un 
weighted. 

Ziba,  I  know  thee  well.     Thy  worth  I  know, 
And  long  and  faithful  service  ;  unrequited, 
Since  Saul  the  king  hath  made  dishonor  honor.         165 
Within  this  tent  is  all  I  hope  to  save 
From  sweeping  desolation.     Stand  thou  here 
Till  I  am  gone.     Then  flee  with  them  for  life. 
To  David  go.     Tell  him  thy  present  service  ; 
Demand  of  him  a  fitting  recompense,  170 

And  ask  that  he  fulfil  unto  my  house 
Our  covenant. 

[JONATHAN  looks  into  the  tent. 
I  will  not  wake  them  now. 
Too  many  wakeful  hours  are  in  store. 
But  I  should  miss  them  more.     The  little  children 
Will  gently  teach  their  mother  how  to  live  175 

A  life  whereof  I  am  not.     May  the  L,ord 


130  JONATHAN 


Require  of    thee  that  harm  shall   never    reach 
them. 

ZIBA 

The  Lord  require  it  of  me.     I  will  write  it 
Upon  the  tablet  of  my  heart,  my  prince. 

[TROOPS  gather.  Enter  a  second  MES 
SENGER. 

MESSENGER 

1 80     Saul  is  sorely  pressod  on  Mount  Gilboa. 
Abner  is  fled,  and,  with  him,  Eshbaal. 
Abinadab  is  slain.     Melchishua 
Is  with  the  king,  and  calls  to  thee  for  aid. 

JONATHAN 

Farewell,  my  love,  my  life,  my  all — farewell. 
185     Form  the  troop  in  order  !     Sound  the  charge  ! 

The  king — my  father — needs  me.    Forward,  men, 
For  God  and  Israel  ! 

\A  bugle  is  sounded.  Exeunt  JONATHAN 
and  the  troopers  and  messengers,  leav 
ing  ZIBA  alone  at  the  door  of  the  tent. 


JONATHAN  131 

SCENE  IV. — On  Mount  Gilboa.     SAUL. 
JONATHAN  approaching. 

SAUL 

Why  art  thou  come  ?     Is  not  the  hope  of  God 
Departed  from  me  ?     Flee  with  Kshbaal, 
Abner,  and  all  who  drew  their  breath  from  me, 
And  leave  me  now  as  one  that  is  infected, 
To  perish  singly.     May  they  die  the  death  5 

The  malefactor  dies,  their  hands  and  feet 
With  fetters  bound  !     And  may  there  never  fail 
Among  their  offspring  one  that  hath  an  issue, 
A  leper,  one  that  falleth  on  the  sword, 
Or  lacketh  bread.    'Tis  thou  hast  been  the  cause.        IO 
This  crown,  which  I  had  lifted  from  my  head 
To  place  upon  thine  own,  by  thee  was  dashed 
Upon  the  ground.    Why  dost  thou  come  to  see  it 
Cleft  with  the  sword  that  ends  my  wretched  life  ? 
Out  on  thee,  traitor  !  blacker  far  than  David,  ^ 

Lacking  inducement.     Out,  I  say — begone  ! 


132  JONATHAN 


JONATHAN 

My  troopers  all  are  gone,  but  not  as  thine  ; 
For  each  has  paid  in  full  the  debt  he  owed 
To  God  and  king  and  country.    Why  have  these, 
20       Whom  I  had  drawn  about  me,  perished  here, 

While  those  about  thee  fled  away  ?     But,  father, 
I  came  not  to  reproach  thee.     Let  us  die, 
As  we  have  lived,  together. 
SAUI, 

Jonathan, 

Hast  thou  forgotten  how  I  cast  my  spear 
25       To  take  thy  life  ?     I  have  not  called  thee  hither. 
Tell  me  what  brought  thee  here,  whence  all  are 

fled 
That  I  have  counted  on?     Thy  course  toward 

David 

Has  been  a  strange  enigma.     Comment  harsh, 
From  men  who  now  are  fled,  has  spurred  my  rage, 
30       Till  I  have  thought  to  ride  thee  down  rough-shod. 
But  now,  when  death  has  cast  his  net  about  me, 


JONATHAN 133 

Thou  art  come  here  to  bear  me  company. 

JONATHAN 

We  two  have  stood  confronting  one  another, 
And  in  between  has  rested  what  has  seemed 
To  me  a  cloud  of  fire,  lighting  up  35 

The  path  of  duty  ;  but  to  thee  appeared 
A  cloud  of  darkness.     God  the  I^ord  was  in  it. 
But  let  us  talk  no  more  on  themes  that  part  us 
Upon  this  awful  mount  whose  very  clods 
The  blood  of  heroes  slain  doth  consecrate.  40 

I^et  us  the  rather  stand  with  shoulders  set, 
Together  braving  all  that  comes  ;  for  soon 
All  that  remains  for  us  will  happen  here. 
The  crown,  which  parted  us,  is  lost  to  both. 
Then  let  us  both  forget  the  sorrow  past,  45 

In  one  embrace  of  joyous  reuniting. 

SAUL 

I^et  the  Philistines  take  me,  bore  mine  eyes, 
Set  me  to  tread  the  mill  where  Samson  slaved. 
Flee  from  me,  mock  me,  spit  upon  me,  slay  me  ! 


134  JONATHAN 


50       Heap  not  coals  of  fire  upon  my  head — 

Dearer  than  life  itself,  my  hope,  my  boy  ! 

[SAUL,  takes  the  crown  from  his  head  and 

places  it  on  JONATHAN'S  head. 
Thus  do  I  crown  thee,  I,  thine  only  subject  ; 
But,  being  king,  I  make  thee  king  of  all. 
Now  give  me  one  embrace,  and  flee  for  life, 
55       That  I  alone  may  pay  for  all  my  sins. 

\They  embrace.  A  shower  of  arrows. 
SAUL  is  wounded.  JONATHAN  falls 
dead,  and  the  crown  rolls  upon  the 
ground. 

Oh  !  for  the  universal  midnight  cry 
Of  smitten  Egypt,  now  to  wail  my  dead  one  ! 
Not  all  the  loss  of  Pharaoh  and  his  subjects, 
Home-born  and  captive,  when  the  Lord  in  blood 
60       Poured  out  his  fury,  could  in  general  tale 
Sum  up  the  worth  of  this  my  eldest  born. 
And  even  the  slightest  faith  by  any  felt, 
Of  those  who,  with  the  hyssop,  sprinkled  blood 


JONATHAN 135 

Upon  the  lintels,  would  have  saved  him  to  me 

To  wear  my  crown.    Now  goes  he  down  in  death       65 

Before  me. 

Enter  an  AMALEKITS. 
Who  art  thou  ? 
AMALEKITE 

An  Amalekite. 
SAUL 

Hold  thou  my  sword  that  I  may  fall  upon  it ; 
For  anguish  taketh  bitter  hold  upon  me, 
Because  my  life  is  whole  within  me  still. 

{The  AMALEKITE  holds    the    sword   and 

SAUL/tf/&  upon  it. 

May  thy  soul  stay  for  me,  my  Jonathan.  70 

SAUL  dies. 


136 JONATHAN 

SCENE  V.  At  Jabesh-Gilead.  A  funeral  pyre. 
Enter  mourners,  bearing  the  bodies  of  SAUL 
and  JONATHAN.  DAVID  meets  them. 

DAVID 

Thy  glory,  O  Israel, 
Is  slain  upon  Thy  high  places  ! 
How  are  the  mighty 
Fallen  ! 

5         Tell  it  not  in  Gath, 

Publish  it  not  in  the  streets  of  Askelon  ; 

L,est  the  daughters  of  the  Philistines  rejoice, 
I^est   the  daughters  of    the   uncircumcised 
triumph  ! 

jo       Ye  mountains  of  Gilboa,  let  there  be  no  dew  nor 

rain  upon  you, 
Neither  fields  of  offerings  ; 

For  there  the  shield  of  the  mighty  was  vilely 
cast  away, 


JONATHAN  137 


The  shield  of  Saul,  as  of  one  not  anointed       15 
with  oil. 

From  the  blood  of  the  slain, 

From  the  fat  of  the  mighty, 

The  bow  of  Jonathan  turned  not  back, 

And  the  sword  of  Saul  returned  not  empty.         20 

Saul  and  Jonathan  were  lovely  and  pleasant  in 

their  lives, 
And  in  their  death  they  were  npt  divided  ; 

They  were  swifter  than  eagles, 

They  were  stronger  than  lions.  25 

Ye  daughters  of  Israel 

Weep  over  Saul, 

Who  clothed  you  in  scarlet  delicately, 
And    put    ornaments    of    gold    upon  your 
apparel.  30 


138  JONATHAN 

How  are  the  mighty 

Fallen  in  the  midst  of  the  battle  / 

O  Jonathan, 

Slain  upon  thy  high  places. 

35       I  am  distressed  for  thee,  my  brother  Jonathan. 
Very  loving  hast  thou  been  unto  me  ; 
Thy  love  for  me  was  wonderful, 
Passing  the  love  of  women. 

How  are  the  mighty 
40  Fallen ! 

And  the  weapons  of  war 
Perished! 


NOTES 


139 


ACT    I 

SCENE  I 

Line 

2 II.  Samuel  xix  :  10 

5 I.  Samuel  x  :  23 


SCENE   II 

12 I.  Samuel  xvii    46 

13-14       Judges  xx    16 

19 I.  Samuel  xvii     12 

21     ..      I.  Samuel  xvi    23 

30-40       1.  Samuel  xvi  :  1-13 

44-47       1.  Samuel  xviii  :  1-4 

56-85       1.  Samuel  xiv  :  1-45 

68     ,.r I.  Samuel  xi     n 

75 Judges  xi    40 

90 I,  Samuel  xx     16 

98 Ruth  i     17 

no Proverbs  iii    35 


SCENE  III 

ii     I.  Samuel  xviii  :  18-23 

15 I.  Samuel  xviii  :  19 

18-22        I.  Samuel  xvii  :  40-46 

27 I.  Samuel  xvii :  50-51 

141 


142  JONATHAN 


SCENE   IV 

Line 

6 II.  Samuel  xiii  :  18 

35-38       I.  Samuel  xvii  :  34-35 

42 Psalm  xxiii  :  i 

71      1.  Samuel  vi  :  9 

74 I.  Samuel  xviii  :  25 

81-82       1.  Kings  xx  :  ii 

83-84       I.  Samuel  xviii  :  17-25 

87 Numbers  xiv  :  9 

SCENE  V 

15-16       ..      ..        Song:  "  I  do  not  love  thee  " 

26-27       I-  Samuel  xviii  :  7 

33 II-  Kings  iii  :  25 

36 I.  Samuel  xviii  :  25-27 

40 Song  of  Solomon  ii  :  4 

62-73       •  •      •  •      After  Goldsmith's  "  Elegy  on 

Madam  Blaize  " 

SCENE   VI 

8 I.  Samuel  xviii  :  8 

9-13        I.  Samuel  xix  :  4-6 

15 I.  Samuel  ii  :  25 

25  Jeremiah  iv  :  22 

27 Ecclesiasticus  v  :  9 

34 II.  Samuel  i  :  24 

35 II.  Samuel  i  :  23 

36 Psalm  xviii  :  42 

37 Ancient  Egyptian   Hymn 

60 Tobit  vii  :  12-13 


NOTES 143 

Line 

66     .  .Abbott's  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth  "  (1882),  p. 
64;  "Ruth  gleaned  for   grain   and    har 
vested  a  husband." 
67-69       Ruth  iv  :  n 

ACT    II 

SCENE   I 

43-45        II.  Samuel  iii  :  16 

52 Job  xxii  :  2 

63 Genesis  xxvii  :  36 

75-76       I.  Samuel  xv  :  32-35 

o  j  Judges  xix  :  29  to  xx  :  n 

(  I.  Samuel  xi  :  7 

86-88       . .      .  .      I.  Samuel  xiii  :  14  ;  xv  :  24-31 

101      Ezekiel  xxxiii  :  31 

107-108     Deuteronomy  xxv  :  4 

SCENE   II 

27 Proverbs  xxvii  :  24 

51      I.  Samuel  x  :  22-23 

52-55       I.  Samuel  x  :  27  to  xi  :  15 

56 Psalm  Ixxxix  :  20 

60-61        I.  Samuel  ii  :  13-16 

SCENE  III 

For  the  scene,  see. ...       I.  Samuel  xix  :  18-24 

8 II.  Peter  ii :  22 

ii I.  Samuel  viii  :  7 

13 Proverbs  xxx  :  21-22 


144  JONATHAN 


Line 
17     . .      . .     I.  Samuel  xiii  :  8-14  and  xv  :  10-23 

23     . .      . .      I.  Samuel  xv  :  2-3 

28-29       I.  Samuel  xv  :  15 

30 I.  Samuel  xv  :  32-33 

33-34 Joshua  viii  :  28-29  '•>  x*  :  J4 

j  Judges  xvii  :  6  and  xxi  :  25 

*'  (  Deuteronomy  xii  :  8 

o  j  Judges    xix  : 22-24 

\      Genesis  xix  :  4-8 

40-45       . .      . .  Judges  ii  :  14  ;   v  :  6-8  ;   vi  :  1-6 

48-49       I.  Samuel  xii :  ii 

52 I,  Samuel  xii  :  10 

53 Jeremiah  ii  :  28 

55-56       ..      ..      Jeremiah  ii  :  ii 

57-58        I.  Samuel  iv,  v,  vi 

60 I.  Samuel  x  :  I 

63 I.  Samuel  ix  :  11-13 

64 I.  Samuel  ix  :  20 

69 Isaiah  xi  :  9 

71      I.  Samuel  xvi  :  7 

(  Exodus  xvii  :  8-14 

73     •  •      •  •  •     j  Deuteronomy  xxv  :  17-19 

78 I.  Samuel  xv  :  13-22 

80 Jeremiah  xxxi :  32 

83-85       Jeremiah  vii  :  22-23 

87 I.  Samuel  xii  :  25 

89 I.  Samuel  xv  :  ii 

go Numbers  xiv  :  19 

99  . .  See  Rubaiyat,  II  (Fitzgerald),  Golden 
Treasury  Series  (Macmillan,  1899),  p.  61, 
for  a  reference  to  the  phenomenon  of  the 
false  dawn. 


NOTES 145 

Line 

100-101 Hosea  xiii  :  ii 

(  Deuteronomy  xxviii  :  24,  49, 
t  54-57.  68;  Jeremiah  xv  :  4 

139 Numbers  xx  :  28 

(  Deuteronomy  xxiv  :  16 

146-147     \  TT        * 

II.  Kings  xiv  :  6 

156 Job  xiv:  18-19 

160 I.  Kings  xvi  :  2 

I?0_I74  <Jobxi:2o;    xiv  :  10-12 

(  Isaiah  xix  :  5 

ACT    III 

SCENE  I 

For  the  scene,  see I.  Samuel  xx  :  1-23 

60 I.  Samuel  xxviii  :  2 

84 Genesis  xli  :  40 

102-106 Joshua  xxii  :  21-29 

107 Proverbs  ii  :  7 

108-109 Proverbs  xxvi  :  2 

111-113     Psalm  cxxxix  :  23-24 

114 I.  Samuel  xxiii  :  17 

121-125  .    -i  Jeremiah  xvii :  8 

I  Psalms   i  :  3  and  Ixxii :  6 

ACT    IV 

SCENE  I 

1-2         II.  Kings  v  :  21-22 

5-6         I.  Samuel  xxii  :  17-19. 

15     .  .      Rubaiyat,  I  (Fitzgerald),  First  Edition 

19 II.  Samuel  iii :  n 

27-28       Ecclesiasticus  xix  :  10 


146  JONATHAN 


Line 

37 Jeremiah  xv  :  i 

49 I.  Samuel  xxii :  2 

55     Exodus  xxi  :  5-6 

56  .  .      Jeremiah  ii  :  25  ;    Deuteronomy  xxv  :  9 

The  voluntary  removal  of  the  shoe  was  a 
sign  of  reverence  ;  the  forcible  removal  a 
disgrace. 

61-62       Ezekiel  xviii  :  2 

68 Matthew  viii  :  20 

69—70       I.  Samuel  xxvi  :  8 

SCE>E  II 

26-27       Judges  ix  :  7-15 

32—33       Judges  viii  :  2 

37-38        II.  Samuel  xix  :  6 

SCENE  III 

1-8         Psalm  Ixxxi :  1-4 

9-16       Ezekiel  xxiv  :  3-5 

22 Ecclesiasticus  vii  :  4 

29-31        I.  Esdras  ix  :  51 

71-74       II.  Samuel  3  :  8-10 

77  et  seq I.  Samuel  xx  :  26-34 

ACT    V 

SCENE  I 
For  the  scene,  see. .      ..         I.  Samuel  xx  ;  18-40 

For  Elhanan,  see II.  Samuel  xxi  :  19 

25 Luke  vii: 8 

(  Deuteronomy  xxxiii :  22 
26-28  \  ... 

(  Numbers  xxni  :  24  and  xxiv  :  9 


_^ NOTES 147 

Line 
39     ..         Jowett's  Plato,  vol.  i,  p.  419.     (1892) 

44-47       Ezekiel  xxxiv  :  3-6 

49 I.  Samuel  xxvi  :  20 

58 1.  Samuel  x  :  24 

SCENE  II 

5     I.  Samuel  xxiii  :  14-18 

7-9 Matthew  iv  :  8 

13     Catullus  iii  :  11-12 

43 Matthew  xi  :  3 

58-59       Psalms  Ixxii;  Ixxviii  :  71-72 

60-65       Psalm  ci 

SCENE  III 

!Job  xxvi:  7;  Taylor's  "Ancient 
Ideals"  (1900),  vol.  i,  page  307; 
Jowett's  Plato,  vol.  ii,  page  257  (1892) 

1 1-13       Psalm  xix  :  1-4,  R.  V. 

16 Jobxxxviii:4 

19-23       Genesis  viii :  22  to  ix  :  17 

45 I.  Samuel  xxvii  :  2 

57 Job  xxxvi  :  8 

58     Proverbs  vi  :  n 

65 Isaiah  xxxii  :  2 

66-80     ..     "The  Iliad"  (translated  by  Lang, 
Leaf  and  Myers),  pp.  123-126  (1889). 

80-81       Proverbs  xxxi  :  28 

84-87       Proverbs  xxxi  :  10-31 

88-89       Proverbs  xxiv  :  16 

90-92       . .     Wisdom  of  Solomon  iv  :  1-2,  R.  V. 

98-99       Deuteronomy  xxxiii  :  27 

loo-in  .    Psalm  xiii 


148  JONATHAN 

Line 

112-114     ..    Boswell's  Johnson  (Hill,  1891),  vol. 
Hi.,  p.  188. 

131-153 I.  Samuel  xxviii :  5-20 

155-156 Judges  vii  :  1-8 

161 Job  xxvii  :  6 

178-179 Proverbs  iii  :  3 

181     II.  Samuel  ii :  8-9 

182 I.  Samuel  xxxi  :  2 

SCENE  IV 

(  I.  Samuel  xxxi;  II.  Samuel 

For  the  scene,  see  <      i  :  1-16;  I.  Chronicles  x; 

'      Josephus,  Book  VI.,  xiv. 

1-2       I.  Samuel  xvi  :  14 

5-10 II.  Samuel  iii :  29  and  33-34 

35-37 Exodus  xiv  :  20 

47-48 Judges  xvi :  21 

50  Proverbs  xxv  :  21-22 

52  . .     That   it    was   the   custom  to   wear 

the  crown  in  battle,  see  II.  Samuel  i  :  10 
and  xii  :  30 

56-58 Exodus  xii  :  29-30 

59  Joshua  viii  :  33,  R.  V. 

59-60 Ezekiel  xiv  :  19 

63-64 Exodus  xii  :  21-23 

66-69 II.  Samuel  i  :  8-10 

SCENE  V 

For  the  funeral  pyre,  see  . .  I.  Samuel  xxxi :  12 
f  II.  Samuel  i  :  19-27  ;   The  Modern 
1-42     . . -\      Reader's  Bible;  "The  Judges," 
'      pp.  244-246. 


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